Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

This case is remanded due to the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for residuals of a rib cage fracture has been denied as there is no current diagnosis or other competent finding of a current disorder.,The Veteran's hiatal hernia has been granted an increased rating to 30 percent, but the case is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology and severity.,The Veteran's left knee disorder, right knee disorder, cervical spine degenerative disc disease (neck), and degenerative arthritis of the spine (back) have all been remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's residuals of a right foot fracture has also been remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's migraines have been remanded for an updated VA examination to assess their current severity.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right hip conditions due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's current diagnoses of left hip osteoarthritis are in dispute, with some records indicating no arthritis and others showing mild degenerative changes.

The Veteran's hypertension and cardiomyopathy are granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus and PTSD.,PTSD is granted with a 100 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's knee and hip disabilities, as well as his lower extremity sciatica, are being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has determined that new material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for arthritis of the arms. The Veteran's testimony and private treatment records support a finding that his arthritis in the arms is related to an incident during Air Force Reserve service, specifically when he was adjusting a pellet and fell. The claim for a compensable disability rating for status-post tonsillectomy is also remanded.

The Board has found that the Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but further development is needed to determine if his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability, including osteoarthritis of the acromioclavicular joints and glenoid labral tears, is considered service-connected as it was incurred during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board denied service connection for neurological disabilities of the right and left upper extremities, as well as initial disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities. The Veteran's claims were based on direct service connection.,For residuals of head trauma, manifested as headaches, the Board denied an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from May 1, 2009. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities since May 1, 2009.

The Board denied reopening the Veteran's claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is granted a 10% rating from May 3, 2012 to May 3, 2013. Ratings for his left knee and right knee osteoarthritis are denied. The claim of service connection for a left ankle condition remains pending as new evidence has not been received that would reopen the case.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right knee disability may be related to his service-connected left knee sprain, but needs further examination and opinion to determine if it is permanently aggravated by the left knee sprain.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease with osteoarthritis and any associated headaches.

The Board has decided to remand four issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for a left achilles tendon/left ankle condition, right shoulder condition, hemorrhoids, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The decision also notes that verification of all periods of Active Duty Training (ACDUTRA) and Inactive Duty Training (INACDUTRA) is needed.

The Veteran's left knee disabilities are rated as noncompensable for limited left leg extension and at 10 percent for anterior cruciate ligament and lateral meniscus tear with osteoarthritis. The Board finds a separate 20 percent rating is warranted for the left knee to account for locking, pain, and effusion.

The Veteran's right knee DJD and meniscus injury, fibromyalgia, right ankle strain, lumbar spine osteoarthritis with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and cervical spine DDD with right and left upper extremity radiculopathy have been granted ratings from specific dates. The Veteran is also receiving separate compensable ratings for instability and scars related to the right knee.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that his current diagnosis of osteoarthritis is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's total right knee arthroplasty from June 14, 2017 is rated at 60 percent. The other conditions remain unchanged.

The claim has been reopened, but service connection for a back disorder is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The Veteran's left knee disability remains in dispute with new examinations needed.