Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation from December 19, 2006 to December 18, 2007. The Board will remand the issues for further development and consideration.

The Board has decided to remand two issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The first issue is about his right wrist sprain, and the second is about his degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as osteoarthritis and with a history of meniscectomy, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has granted a separate rating for the meniscectomy.

The Veteran's left hip and right knee disabilities are not service-connected as they are secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,A higher rating for the Veteran's chondromalacia patella, left knee with severe degenerative joint disease (status post total knee replacement) is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knees disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have a chronic knee disorder in service and that any current osteoarthritis is more likely due to his age and BMI.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for bilateral hearing loss and increased rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity have been dismissed. The appeal for an initial rating in excess of 70 percent for mood disorder is denied, but a TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's neck disability was granted a 30% evaluation from February 15, 2018. The appeal is remanded for additional development in several areas including service connection for sleep apnea and evaluations for spinal fusion.

The Board has granted service connection for neck arthritis. The issues of bilateral hip pain, knee pain, ankle pain, and headaches secondary to neck arthritis are remanded.

The appeals for the claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of bilateral hips, knees, elbows, feet, hands, and shoulders have been dismissed. The claim of service connection for a low back disorder has been reopened but is still pending as it was remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a compensable rating for hemorrhoids. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knees and back, as well as the issue of left leg radiculopathy related to his spine disability, are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a back disability, but denied the claim as there is no evidence that the Veteran's current condition began in service or is otherwise related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical and thoracic spine, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, recurrent sinusitis, and diverticulosis have all been granted.

The Veteran's initial ratings for osteoarthritis and chondromalacia of the left knee have been denied as his conditions do not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the issues of increased disability ratings for low back pain with lumbar osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease, sciatica, left lower extremity, and entitlement to a TDIU. The Veteran will be provided notification letters and asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain private medical records. He will also be scheduled for VA examinations.

The Veteran's hypertension and left knee disability were denied service connection, while a separate rating of 10 percent for arthritis was granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, low back disability, wrist osteoarthritis, and left lower extremity radiculopathy, prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 31, 2012. The Board granted the TDIU claim based on the evidence showing his service-connected conditions precluded him from sedentary employment.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted service connection. The Veteran's cervical spine disability, diabetes mellitus, and secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been dismissed as he withdrew them prior to the decision. The Board also granted entitlement to individual unemployability (TDIU) due to multiple service-connected conditions preventing him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, hypertension, and immune thrombocytic purpura due to insufficient rationale provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is rated at 10 percent, and his PTSD is rated at 30 percent prior to March 9, 2010. The ratings are denied.