Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the claims for osteoarthritis of the back, hands, neck, and right knee as new evidence was submitted. The Veteran's PTSD claim is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disorders (chondrocalcinosis and osteoarthritis) as they are considered to have been caused by the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, characterized by unfavorable ankylosis with ulnar deviation, is rated at 60 percent effective December 23, 2014. The Board has remanded the issue of increased rating for service-connected left and right wrist disabilities on an extraschedular basis.

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

The Veteran's initial 10% rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee prior to October 1, 2012 is granted. An initial 60% rating for total right knee replacement is granted. The issue of an initial compensable rating for hearing loss is dismissed. A TDIU from March 2, 2011 is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his right shoulder disability is remanded due to the need for a proper VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated at 80 percent combined, and are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to preclude his participation in substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

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

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis with left foot heel degenerative arthritis are granted a 10 percent rating, effective May 20, 2010.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for his thoracolumbar spine osteoarthritis and cervical spine osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, finding that the most probative evidence was against the claim.

The Board finds that the Veteran's diagnosed degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is as likely as not related to his documented in-service accident, and service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis is service-connected, as it was incurred during his military service due to parachute jumps.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities was denied. The Veteran is granted a TDIU effective April 17, 2012, and his claims for increased ratings for IVDS, right knee medial meniscal tear with osteoarthritis, and prior to April 17, 2012 are remanded.

The Board denied entitlement to extraschedular evaluations for service-connected right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that the schedular ratings adequately described the Veteran's disability level and symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine osteoarthritis, bilateral pes planus, and PTSD are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine in 1997 due to lack of evidence linking it to service. The Veteran's new evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate his claim, so his petition to reopen is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board has decided that a right shoulder condition, including as secondary to service-connected disabilities, is not currently granted. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current shoulder conditions and his in-service diving activities.