Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for new VA examinations, as his current evaluations do not comply with Correia v. McDonald or Sharp v. Shulkin.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disability, increased rating for low back disability, and initial compensable rating for right foot and left foot calluses.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's low back disability was not manifested by ankylosis nor did it require bed rest prescribed by a physician.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, to include degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The evidence shows that the Veteran reported in-service onset of symptoms and continuity of symptoms since service. Therefore, the Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence supports service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in its entirety through a statement from his representative.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder and lower back conditions, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his in-service injuries.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbar disc disease status post lumbar decompression surgery are granted. The left shoulder condition is denied, but a reduction in rating for cervical degenerative joint disease status post spine fusion from 20% to 10% effective March 7, 2015 is restored. A reduction in rating for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis from 50% to 30% effective March 7, 2015 is also restored.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a new examination and consideration of whether a separate rating under DC 5284 is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have disabling left ear hearing loss for VA purposes and denied service connection for this condition. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology during service. Increased ratings for left knee and left hip disabilities are also remanded as additional examinations are needed in accordance with Correia v. McDonald.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent and his radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is rated at 10 percent. The combined rating is 30 percent. An evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the lumbar spine disability is denied.

The Veteran's spondylolisthesis and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are rated at 20 percent since September 15, 2017. This is a higher rating than previously granted.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no further action can be taken on this case.

The Veteran is granted TDIU prior to March 9, 2015. The Board finds that referral for extraschedular TDIU under § 4.16(b) is warranted due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

Service connection is denied for sleep apnea, stomach disability, hypertension, left hand disability, low back injury, left leg lumbar radiculopathy, right ankle injury residuals, left wrist degenerative arthritis, and left eye injury residuals.,A compensable rating is granted for scar, status post left wrist fusion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine due to lack of a VA medical opinion on service connection, and failure to schedule a VA examination.

This decision grants service connection for degenerative joint disease and spondylosis of the cervical spine, degenerative joint disease, chronic discopathy, and osteoarthritis of lumbar spine and chronic thoracic myalgia concomitant with degenerative joint disease of the thoracic spine, headaches, and paresthesias of the left thigh, all secondary to service-connected left inferior pubic stress fracture.,This decision also grants an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD and depressive disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and instability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or symptoms, and that any current disabilities are due to post-service trauma.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected low back disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and left knee disability was denied. The Veteran also had a TDIU granted.,For the period prior to September 5, 2017, the Veteran’s intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis did not meet criteria for an increased rating beyond 20 percent.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is not service-connected as secondary to his right knee disorder, and thus remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been rated based on their specific symptoms and limitations, with the highest possible rating of 20 percent for each knee. The appeal is denied as the criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for cervical spine disability and TDIU due to incomplete examinations and failure to address certain directives from previous remands.