Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee and lumbar spine disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran will need to undergo additional VA examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left knee instability and painful motion are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and/or private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a cervical spine disability, nerve disorder affecting the right upper extremity (RUE), and hypertension have been denied. The VA has assigned a 20% rating for diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and cause of the Veteran's bilateral knee condition(s), as well as his service-connected shoulder and back disabilities. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and ratings for the Veteran's knee disabilities due to insufficient examination reports. The left knee disability is being reviewed, as well as the right knee degenerative arthritis and meniscal/ligament tear.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is granted, while his claims for spondylosis with degenerative arthritis and bilateral hearing loss are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee condition and hepatitis C, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hip disabilities, finding that there was no in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The current diagnoses of degenerative arthritis were not shown within one year following service discharge.,The Board also denied the claim for ischemic heart disease due to herbicide exposure, as there is no current diagnosis of this condition.

The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis is related to service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for major depressive disorder and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied. The Board found that his depression did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it did not cause deficiencies in most areas such as work, school, family relations, judgment, thinking, or mood.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities have been denied. A separate rating of 30 percent has been granted for limited left knee extension, but the Veteran does not meet criteria for higher ratings under other diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left knee disability and TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected hip disabilities and psychiatric disorder require additional examination to determine their current severity.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left and right knee osteoarthritis, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The reasons are that additional supporting evidence is required in developing these claims.

The Veteran's back condition, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome, was not shown to be related to an in-service injury or disease. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that the current disability is linked to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected left rotator cuff tendonitis.