Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's post traumatic right ankle osteoarthritis is rated at a 20 percent rating from April 23, 2012 to July 11, 2017. Since July 12, 2017, the rating has been increased to 20 percent.

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

The Board has determined that further medical evaluation and opinion are needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including back disability, bilateral hearing loss, respiratory condition (COPD), and migraine headaches. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of left thumb injury is denied. The Veteran's right pubic bone fracture and cold weather residuals of the right foot are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis on the basis that it was aggravated by periods of active duty training in the United States Marine Corps Reserves.

The Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the right knee is related to his in-service injury, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of evidence showing these conditions began during active duty or were related to military noise exposure.

This decision grants a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's status post ruptured bladder, effective September 12, 2013. The Veteran also receives a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated as 100 percent disabling since January 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and knee replacement are at least as likely as not related to an injury in service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for sleep disturbances is denied as the condition is not separate and distinct from his already service-connected sleep disorder.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis with muscle atrophy, joint, and muscle pain in the bilateral knees is denied due to lack of radiological confirmation within the appellate period. The Veteran is already service-connected for knee disorders.,The Veteran's claim for degenerative arthritis with muscle atrophy, joint, and muscle pain in the right shoulder is remanded as there is insufficient evidence regarding its etiology.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of a low back condition, finding that the March 1993 and October 2002 rating decisions were not clearly and unmistakably erroneous. The Veteran's claim was denied as there was no clear error in applying the correct laws and facts to the relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and further development is required.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for the entire appeal to be dismissed.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds no basis for a higher rating.,The Veteran's right and left plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spur with degenerative joint disease are each rated at 20 percent.,PTSD is rated at 50 percent.,Service connection for shortness of breath, lumbar spine disorder, and sleep apnea secondary to PTSD is remanded.,The Veteran's lower back condition was denied in a final November 2011 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability, service connection for hypertension and Parkinson's disease, and TDIU. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for her service-connected left knee disability, including chondromalacia with osteoarthritis and instability, is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for glaucoma, claimed as vision loss, is denied because there is no current diagnosis of glaucoma or related vision loss.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for left hip degenerative arthritis is denied due to the lack of evidence showing symptoms that meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral patellofemoral joint arthropathy, chondromalacia patella, and osteoarthritis of the knees began during active service. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be examined for his right knee osteoarthritis, left leg radiculopathy, and anxiety disorder NOS with bipolar disorder. The issues of increased ratings are being remanded due to new evidence suggesting aggravation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.