Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations. Her eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or other conveyance is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for allergic rhinitis and lumbar degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40% effective June 26, 2016. His right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 20%. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's right knee disability is denied as there is no nexus between the current condition and his active military service.,Service connection for heart arrhythmia is denied due to lack of functional impairment of earning capacity.,Diabetes mellitus type II is not granted as there is no evidence of a diagnosed disability, only hyperglycemia and prediabetes.,Cerebral and cerebrallar atrophy is not granted as the Veteran's current condition does not have a nexus to his active military service.

The case is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and cervical spine disorder, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted TDIU based on the benefit of the doubt.

The Veteran's appeal was timely filed, and the Board found that his claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted.

The Board has denied service connection for cold injuries and depression. The claims of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet, generalized primary osteoarthritis, knee replacement resulting from bone cancer, hypertension, prostate cancer, diabetes, and migraine headaches are remanded due to missing service treatment records.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is likely related to his military service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee as there was insufficient evidence to show that it had its onset in service, manifested within one year of separation, or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine appropriate disability ratings for his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder does not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation than 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling an orthopedic examination and addressing issues related to severance of service connection and reduction of rating.

The Veteran's clothing was damaged by her service-connected back brace, and the Board has granted a clothing allowance for this issue.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various knee, shoulder, back, and ankle disabilities have been granted. However, the Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his thoracolumbar sine sprain with levoscoliosis, degenerative changes and spondylosis was dismissed as he withdrew the claim. The appeals for increased ratings of left knee strain, right knee osteoarthritis, and service-connected hypertension are remanded.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for diabetes mellitus type II and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis, left knee. The Veteran needs to provide an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his diabetes and service, and he should be examined again for his left knee condition.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis and degenerative rotator cuff of the shoulders, bilateral osteoarthritis and degenerative labral tears of the hips, bilateral osteoarthritis of the ankles, and bilateral osteoarthritis of the feet. The Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his parachute jumps in service.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, and he is granted TDIU. The right wrist posttraumatic osteoarthritis and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome with osteoarthritis are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's bilateral knee braces caused wear and tear on his clothing in 2014, which qualifies him for a clothing allowance. The decision is based on the nature of the braces used.