Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's multi-level DDD scoliosis with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.,For paralysis of the left and right lower extremities associated with multi-level DDD scoliosis with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, the Veteran's ratings remain at 10 percent.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, finding that his symptoms most closely approximated degenerative arthritis with limitation of motion.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is granted service connection and rated at 30 percent. The left ankle fracture status post fusion prior to July 11, 2014, is also granted service connection and rated at 30 percent. Since July 11, 2014, the Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the bilateral knees due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's arthritis is found to be related to his in-service injury, resulting in a grant of service connection.

The Veteran's left hip degenerative arthritis and left knee arthralgia and patellofemoral chondromalacia are granted service connection. The claim for reopening of the left knee condition is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the remaining issues related to right wrist, left wrist, psychiatric disability including PTSD, SI joint and L5 osteoarthritis, and left ankle osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, back disorder, hypertension (secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder), erectile dysfunction, chronic headache disorder, left and right lower extremity disorders, and acquired psychiatric disorder due to incomplete compliance with previous remands.

The Veteran's back disability is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and a lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran's right hip, GERD, weakness and fatigue, dizziness and lightheadedness, and sleep pattern change and night sweats are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 25, 2013 and increased to 20 percent since then.,The Veteran's left knee condition has been rated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period. The Board granted a higher rating of 20 percent for his right foot osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability and service connection for a right leg/knee condition due to inadequate examination findings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for special monthly compensation.

The Veteran's cervical spine DJD and DA are granted as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DA.,Service connection for unspecified depressive disorder is granted.

The Board has determined that an additional medical opinion is needed to determine if the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right foot disability.

The Veteran's immediate cause of death was hypertensive and atherosclerotic heart disease. The Board found that the service-connected conditions did not contribute to his death, and there were no pending claims for accrued benefits at the time of his death.

The Veteran's service-connected back, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and scar disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to increased symptomatology reported since the last VA examination in June 2016.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis has worsened, and a new VA examination is needed to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a back injury. The Veteran's current back disability is not related to his in-service back contusion, as there was no chronicity of symptoms post-service. The Board determined that the Veteran's arthritis is more likely due to post-service injuries rather than an in-service event.

The Veteran's left shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis is rated at 20 percent, and the Veteran's degenerative disc disease with IVDS of the thoracolumbar spine is restored to a 60 percent rating effective January 1, 2015. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability is denied.