Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis with spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine and a rating in excess of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy remains pending.,The Veteran is also seeking TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of both knees is related to service, and thus service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint and degenerative disc disease, thoracolumbar spine, with right femoral and sciatic nerve radiculopathy status post lumbar fusion and residual scar, as well as his service-connected degenerative disc and degenerative joint disease, cervical spine, with left radiculopathy status post compression fracture C5 and cervical fusion with residual scar, have been granted.,The Veteran's service-connected right knee medial and lateral meniscal tears, anterior cruciate ligament tear, and tricompartmental osteoarthritis has also been granted.,The Veteran's service-connected right heel injury (Achilles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis) has been granted.,The Veteran's service connection for a headache disability secondary to his now service-connected cervical spine disabilities has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine is currently rated at 40 percent from April 12, 2011. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating as there was no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for his left and right knee conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various arthritic conditions, hypertension, diverticulitis, and diabetes mellitus type II due to outstanding treatment records and inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the low back is being remanded due to inadequate examination and missing records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, but the decision does not specify which conditions or disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied. A 20 percent disability rating has been granted effective July 7, 2014.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and residuals from status post open rotator cuff repair, is remanded due to insufficient evidence of service connection on a presumptive basis.

The Veteran's hepatitis C has been granted a 100% disability rating effective April 25, 2005. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for GERD as secondary to service-connected disabilities and entitlement to an increased rating for lumbosacral strain prior to July 5, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus was granted with an effective date of December 15, 1988. The appeal regarding the initial rating for chronic lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, effective October 21, 2006. The RO has denied higher ratings for these conditions.,A TDIU is granted from September 28, 2017, based on the combined rating of 70% due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between his current disability and his in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete examinations and lack of consideration of relevant medical history.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran is currently employed as a maintenance engineer at St. Francis Medical Center, which does not render him unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has dismissed all effective date claims as there are no pending issues of service connection or rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lower back strain with degenerative arthritis and other specified trauma and stressor related disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is granted. An initial rating of 20 percent, but no higher, for stress incontinence prior to June 1, 2015, and a rating of 40 percent, but no higher, from June 1, 2015, is warranted.