Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee scar but denied service connection for a left knee musculoskeletal disorder and arthritis. The scar was incurred in service, while the musculoskeletal disorder is not related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder, including osteoarthritis, finding that the condition was not incurred in or related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine is considered to have caused his current osteoarthritis in both knees, thus granting service connection for bilateral knee disability.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased rating claims related to various hip and knee conditions due to a withdrawal of appeal by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings, service connection claims, and a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip replacement is related to his service-connected bilateral knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations, particularly regarding his service-connected back disability. The effective dates for service connection are also not established.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected osteoarthritis of the right knee.

The Veteran was initially awarded a 30 percent rating for his right shoulder disability prior to August 4, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of severe painful motion or weakness.,From August 4, 2016, the Veteran's symptoms worsened and he was awarded a 60 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including pain and related conditions, may be related to his service-connected right ankle strain. The lumbar spine and PTSD disabilities are also being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to the need for a VA examination of the Veteran's right knee and consideration of his service-connected disabilities in determining if he requires aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his bilateral hip conditions are being remanded due to the lack of records from his private orthopedic surgeon regarding any potential future surgeries.

The Veteran's current rating for his low back disability is too low, as he reports being unable to clean his home and has limitations on standing and walking. The VA examiner found the September 2017 examination inadequate due to lack of range of motion testing.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and lumbar spine disability make it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, so the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and undiagnosed respiratory condition have been granted service connection.,A skin condition has been granted initial disability ratings from November 2, 1994 to August 12, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and missing medical records. The Veteran's right knee, right leg length discrepancy, and right hip osteoarthritis post arthroplasty are all being reviewed for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, left knee meniscal tear, right knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral pes planus. The conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his sleep apnea and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are granted for left knee degenerative arthritis and erectile dysfunction, both secondary to his service-connected conditions. The other claims remain denied.