Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA medical records. The claim will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's right and left knee chondromalacia patella disabilities are currently rated at 10% each, but the Board finds no basis for a higher rating as there is no evidence of instability or subluxation.

The Board has denied service connection for a right elbow disorder and a left ankle disorder, finding that the current disorders are not related to active service or any service-connected disability. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for a right elbow disorder and a left ankle disorder, finding that the current disorders are not related to active service or any service-connected disability. The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent.

The Veteran's low back strain is denied as not meeting the criteria for a higher evaluation.,A 10 percent evaluation was granted for scar, dorsal aspect of the left big toe prior to May 11, 2016. From May 11, 2016, through July 18, 2016, and from July 19, 2016, a 20 percent evaluation was granted.,From July 19, 2016, the Veteran's scar is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a new examination to determine the etiology of any diagnosed cancer of the esophagus and stomach. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hand disability and a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease leading to these conditions. The Board also noted that the Veteran's arthritis of the right hand did not manifest within the applicable presumptive period.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for low back strain and remanded the issues of service connection for a left knee disorder, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and IVDS. The Veteran is also in receipt of Social Security Administration disability benefits but his SSA records have not been associated with the file.

The Board denied an increase in the Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine and also denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The evidence did not show that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hip and leg, right knee status post total knee replacement, and left shoulder osteoarthritis as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's claims for bladder cancer, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, and peripheral neuropathy of the legs are remanded due to insufficient information regarding in-service exposure to herbicide agents or formaldehyde.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was diagnosed during service and is considered incurred in service. The Board also found that his current diagnosis of degenerative disc disease is not related to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating for arthritis with frequent episodes of locking and pain. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no additional functional loss due to instability or other factors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hip disability, right ear hearing loss, or right knee disability. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals on all issues related to service connection, including for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral pes planus, left knee disability, right knee disability, degenerative arthritis of the left glenohumeral joint, degenerative arthritis of the left acromioclavicular joint, neck disability, and vision disability.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right hip and knee were granted service connection as being proximately caused by his service-connected lumbar sprain/strain. An increased rating to 20 percent for lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower extremity from May 5, 2015 is also granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased evaluations have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and that any current condition is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence, particularly regarding the severity of the Veteran's left shoulder disability and any impairment of muscle function. The Veteran is also being asked to provide information about any private treatment records that may be relevant.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder, right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and limited extension, is granted at a 20 percent rating. The Veteran also receives a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion.