Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining new VA examination reports and consideration of the newly added medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, left and right ankle osteoarthritis, and sinusitis, are found to be related to his military service. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is service-connected, as evidenced by high blood pressure readings during active duty and a VA examination confirming current diagnosis. The knee osteoarthritis claim requires further review due to the need for an additional VA examination considering the average amount of days spent on active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA each year in the reserves.

The Board denied service connection for left plantar fibroma and degenerative arthritis of the left foot, as well as a temporary total evaluation based on surgery of the left foot. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's right hip disorder, including his total joint arthroplasty and osteoarthritis, is found to be caused by or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.,Degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is considered as at least as likely as not related to a low back injury during active military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions, including a bilateral eye disorder, varicose veins of the left lower extremity, gallbladder disorder, diverticulitis (GI Disorder), and right hip disorder were denied. The decision also noted that his period of ACDUTRA did not show any superimposed injury or aggravation of an existing condition.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is productive of painful motion limited to, at worst, 95 degrees of flexion and subjective mild instability symptoms. The Board finds a separate rating of 10 percent for instability is warranted.,The Veteran’s degenerative changes of the lower back with new onset facet fracture are productive of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine of 30 degrees or less, warranting an initial rating of 40 percent. The Board finds no higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis is currently rated at 30 percent, effective August 16, 2012. The Board found that the Veteran’s range of motion during flare-ups more nearly approximated a 30 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities have increased in severity since the last examination, and he should be provided a VA examination to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for hypertension, cervical spine disorder, and left knee disorder were denied. The Board found that the Veteran’s service-connected conditions did not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.,Specifically, the Board determined that the Veteran's hypertension was not manifested by diastolic pressure of predominantly 110 or more or systolic pressure of predominantly 200 or more. The cervical spine disorder did not result in forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, and the left knee disorder did not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases of cervical spine spondylosis, right knee osteoarthritis, hypertension, and left shoulder and arm disability for further development. The Veteran's claims are not granted as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and higher disability ratings related to various conditions, including left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, left knee chondromalacia and osteoarthritis, and lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and IVDS. The issues of service connection for bladder dysfunction and bowel dysfunction secondary to these disabilities were remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance. The increased rating claims for traumatic arthritis of the lumbar spine and bursitis of the right shoulder are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both lower extremities as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both lower extremities as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the spine with degenerative disc disease at L4-5, and L5-S1 is being remanded due to insufficient evidence in his claims file.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the right shoulder, status post arthroplasty and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence establishing a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder, cervical spine, and spine disabilities as well as his hearing loss. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the severity of these conditions and determine if there is additional functional loss during flare-ups. His TDIU claim will also be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration.

The Veteran's enthesopathy of the tibial tuberosity, right ankle strain, and osteoarthritis have been rated at 30 percent since June 13, 2013. The Board has determined that this rating is appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms.