Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to service-connected PTSD. The case of a rating greater than 10 percent for shell fragment wounds and TDIU are remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left shoulder disability (prior to January 28, 2015) and right shoulder disability were remanded due to the need for further development. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board denied service connection for hypertensive vascular disease and degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, finding no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability is reopened, but the issues related to right ankle and right knee disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and likely cause of the Veteran's left knee disability, including whether it is related to his service-connected left first metatarsal disability or incurred in service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbar spondylosis with IVDS, right knee instability, and osteoarthritis of the right knee are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The AOJ is instructed to obtain additional evidence and arrange for further VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted a 10 percent rating for osteoarthritis of the left hand, but did not address other issues or conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability prior to January 1, 2011 is being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration of applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar back disability and a left ankle disability, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that led to the current disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee instability and degenerative arthritis are rated at 10 percent, while the left knee instability is rated at 10 percent. A separate rating of 20 percent for meniscal tear of the left knee has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for service-connected right thigh and hip disabilities due to insufficient evidence from a recent VA examination. The Veteran needs to be examined again to assess the current severity of his conditions.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent before July 20, 2016 and 20 percent from July 20, 2016.

The Veteran's Morton's neuroma of the left foot is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Code 5279.,The Veteran’s osteoarthritis of the left knee status post surgery is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted as his flexion did not reach 60 degrees or less.,The Veteran's recurrent patellar subluxation and torn meniscus of the left knee are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum allowed under Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle condition is being remanded for further evaluation as it may be related to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's cardiovascular disease and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) are also being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was rated at 20 percent prior to October 14, 2015. From that date, a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded two issues: one regarding the right knee and another for degenerative arthritis of the spine. The Veteran's records from Brooke Army Medical Center and San Antonio Military Medical Center need to be obtained, as well as updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the issues of rating cervical spine and lumbosacral spine disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim due to lack of recent VA examinations and incomplete SSA records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriatic arthritis is granted with an effective date of June 11, 2008. The Board also found that the earlier claim for a skin rash inherently included a claim for psoriatic arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for cervical spine C5-6 disc disease and osteoarthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome was dismissed as the appellant requested a withdrawal of the appeal.