Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right wrist and elbow disabilities were denied. The right wrist disability was rated at 10 percent, while the right elbow disability was previously rated at 30 percent prior to February 14, 2018, but has now been reduced to a 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded all issues on appeal due to the addition of new VA treatment records and examinations. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded as he was unable to complete an examination due to his hip replacement surgery.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded for further examination and review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of 10 percent for bilateral knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of an ascertainable increase in severity prior to May 9, 2013. The case is remanded for issuance of a statement of the case on the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for right and left meniscus tear with chondromalacia and osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of his service-connected CRSD and PTSD, right ankle osteoarthritis, status post avulsion fracture, and right ankle scars have been granted. However, the specific rating assigned is not provided in this decision.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, along with atrophy of the legs secondary to service-connected conditions, have been granted increased disability ratings.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including post-arthroplasty and instability, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board found no basis for a higher rating during the period from December 1, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further examinations.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of arthritis in service or within one year thereafter and that his current osteoarthritis was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected plantar fasciitis.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU due to the lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is also being remanded for further examination.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not properly adjudicated and requires further examination to determine if his current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right ankle fracture with degenerative arthritis status post fusion, bilateral hearing loss disability, and bilateral tinnitus are granted. The claim for secondary service connection for low back disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral hip disability, including potential service connection and a need for an examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee osteoarthritis and instability due to an apparent discrepancy in the degree of severity of his range of motion on flexion reported by the VA examiner. The Veteran is required to report for any necessary examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left knee disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for left knee internal derangement and tricompartmental osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations that comply with VA examination guidelines.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including consideration of service connection for diabetes mellitus and evaluation of his depressive disorder.

The Board dismissed the appeals on all issues related to service connection for various knee and hip disabilities, as well as a low back disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing that these conditions had their onset during or within one year after his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the veteran's credible lay reports regarding his in-service slip and fall injury, which resulted in a back-muscle sprain. The examiner is required to address whether it is at least as likely as not that this in-service injury caused his current thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder dysfunction, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected residuals of fracture of the midshaft of the right clavicle.