Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for hearing loss, osteoarthritis, and peptic ulcer has been reopened. The claim for hearing loss is granted as new evidence supports the reopening of this claim. The claims for osteoarthritis and peptic ulcer remain denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for diabetes and hypertension were dismissed. The Board also denied increased ratings for her degenerative arthritis of the left knee and meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis of the right knee, but granted a separate rating of 10 percent for painful extension of each knee. Service connection was denied for tinnitus, sleep apnea, herniated cervical disc, and lumbar spine condition.

The Board has granted initial compensable ratings for left knee, right wrist, and left wrist disorders. The remaining issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine strain with left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and potential increase in severity of the Veteran's right knee disability. A new VA examination is required.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle was denied. The appeal for individual unemployability prior to March 23, 2018, was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable prior to November 30, 2015. The Board has granted a TDIU for this period.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating increases have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of all pending claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 10 percent evaluation for his back disability was denied as the evidence did not show that he had painful motion or functional impairment related to his service-connected disability prior to October 17, 2014.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and hypertension.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip disorder, diagnosed as tendonitis, myofascial pain syndrome and trochanteric bursitis. The Veteran's current right hip disorder is found to have its onset during active service.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for her right foot disability, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's left knee DJD status post arthroscopic surgery for a torn meniscus is currently rated at 10 percent, and the claim for an increased rating is denied.,The Veteran's left ankle strain with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the claim for an increased rating is denied.,The Veteran's residuals of right ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis are currently rated at 10 percent, and the claim for an increased rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability characterized as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with lower left extremity radiculopathy, and spondylolisthesis. The appeal regarding bilateral hearing loss is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for loss of use of both lower extremities due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, effective from June 2018. The appeal for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of extremities is also granted.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is granted as secondary to his service-connected injury to Muscle Group XIV. His PTSD and GSW residuals are not rated higher than the current levels, but he is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination report, and a need for clarification on whether pain significantly limits the Veteran's left knee function during flares or repetitive use.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding whether the Veteran's neck disability is related to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining issues of service connection are remanded due to incomplete records and the need to obtain SSA disability benefits information.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected left great toe amputation and its impact on his balance and ambulation.