Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and he is granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development to obtain medical records and for VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and dyshidrotic eczematous dermatitis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability and tinnitus has been granted. The Board found that the new evidence supports the reopening of the claim, and that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a right knee disability, and a kidney disorder have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a current diagnosis of PTSD or other mental health conditions related to military service, and there was no chronicity of symptoms since service. For the right knee disability, the Veteran's arthritis was not shown within one year of separation from service, and continuity of symptomatology could not be established. The kidney disorder claim is pending as it has not been addressed in detail.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is denied.,Service connection and increased ratings for degenerative arthritis lumbar spine, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder strain are all denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and major depressive disorder. Service connection is denied for prostate cancer.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for styloid fracture and degenerative arthritis of the right wrist prior to September 8, 2015, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter is being remanded due to incomplete records. The VA needs to obtain any missing records related to his August 2013 surgery.

The Veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia patella with osteoarthritis are each rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 (flexion) and 5261 (extension). The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of limitation of motion to 45 degrees or more in either knee.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the cases of degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection of osteoarthritis of bilateral knee and has determined that this condition is related to his active service.

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

The Veteran's service-connected right total knee arthroplasty is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that his condition does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating as there are no chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar and cervical spines have been remanded for further evaluation due to changes in range of motion.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine discogenic disease L4-L5 with lumbar degenerative arthritis, left leg sciatic nerve disability, and right leg sciatic nerve disability are all granted as service connected.,An increased rating for the Veteran’s lumbar strain is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and back disabilities, as well as an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to a shortened right leg, and if so, whether they have been aggravated by that condition.

The Veteran's right hand hemangioma excision, first and second fingers, is granted a 10 percent evaluation. The appeal for bilateral hand osteoarthritis is remanded due to the need for further evidence. Other issues are not addressed as they involve different claims.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left and right knee osteoarthritis, as well as his right ear hearing loss. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right knee lateral instability and a compensable evaluation for isolated systolic hypertension have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional evaluations and evidence to determine appropriate initial disability ratings and effective dates.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disorders were granted, including osteoarthritis, ligament tears, osteochondral fracture and lesions, tendinitis, talar impingement, and third degree sprain. The claim was remanded for further action on the issue of total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for BPH, generalized osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and allergies to shellfish and codeine due to unresolved medical issues and lack of evidence establishing a nexus between these conditions and active duty.