Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, bilateral ankle degenerative arthritis, and right hip degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations to determine appropriate disability ratings for the Veteran's knee and back disabilities.

The Board denied a higher initial disability rating for left knee instability and osteoarthritis, finding that the symptomatology did not more nearly approximate severe subluxation or instability.

Right knee osteoarthritis is granted as secondary to service-connected right ankle fracture with degenerative joint disease.,Tinnitus is granted as incurred in service.,Cervical disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected thoracolumbar strain.,Shortened right leg is granted as secondary to service-connected right ankle fracture.,Sinusitis is granted as incurred in service.

Your appeal to restore your left ankle disability rating from 40 percent to 40 percent has been dismissed because you have accepted the current 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for talocalcaneal osteoarthritis with post-surgical changes of the left foot is dismissed due to his death before a decision was made.

The Board has denied the claims for extraschedular ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right thumb and thenar eminence atrophy, numbness, and diminished grip strength of the right hand as the symptomatology is specifically contemplated by the criteria codified at DCs 5224 and 8516.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on multiple knee and back conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and/or private treatment records related to his service-connected left knee and left ankle disabilities, and scheduling him for an appropriate VA examination.

The Board has remanded multiple issues for further development and clarification, including service connection claims for irritable bowel syndrome, bilateral hearing loss disability, degenerative arthritis of the knees, and hypertensive renal disease. The Veteran's claims are pending due to incomplete VA records and lack of a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is denied as the evidence does not support a finding that it began during active service or is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obesity is denied as obesity is not considered a disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and higher ratings due to incomplete medical opinions, and further development of evidence is needed.

The Veteran's back disorders, including degenerative arthritis of the spine, lumbosacral strain, and degenerative disc disease, were not incurred in service as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after separation. The Board found that the current conditions are not related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis, painful motion with extension of the knee, and instability were granted separate ratings of 10 percent each prior to April 2, 2014. The total replacement of his right knee was granted a disability rating of 40 percent starting from June 1, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot pes planus, right foot pes planus, left foot osteoarthritis, and right foot osteoarthritis. The issues of secondary service connection for these conditions are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with the exception of a temporary total disability rating due to surgery. The Veteran was awarded separate disability ratings for hallux valgus, flatfoot, and degenerative arthritis of the right foot.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid & attendance or housebound status is remanded due to outstanding private treatment records. The issue is inextricably intertwined with the other SMC claim and service connection claims.

The Veteran is granted a separate rating of 10 percent for cartilage loss prior to April 27, 2004 and his right knee disorder rated at 60 percent from June 1, 2005. The effective date for the 60 percent rating remains pending further action.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for left knee disability and hypothyroidism due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran needs a new examination to determine the current severity of his disabilities, including range of motion studies and assessment of flare-ups.