Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an MRI study and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has IVDS/DDD. The effective date of service connection remains August 31, 2001.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted. The claims for service connection for myositis, cervical strain (neck disability), spinal stenosis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, sinusitis, COPD, edema, GERD, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and nerve disability, an acquired psychiatric disability, and bronchitis have all been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since October 28, 2014.

The Veteran's low back disability and associated left lower extremity radiculopathy are rated, but the Board has found that remand is necessary for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of left knee osteoarthritis, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, left ankle talocalcaneal coalition with associated left tibialis posterior tendonitis, and other orthopedic conditions, render him unemployable prior to August 1, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a back disorder and degenerative arthritis of bilateral hips due to insufficient examination findings.

The Veteran's right hip disability, which includes degenerative arthritis, strain, and trochanteric bursitis with a history of total hip arthroplasty, is rated at 50 percent effective March 28, 2011.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between his current left knee DJD/osteoarthritis and his service-connected peripheral arterial disease with left foot degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's arthritis of the upper and lower extremities is not service-connected.,Osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees has been found to be related to service. The Veteran will receive a separate rating for this condition.,Service connection for hypertension, secondary to PTSD and herbicide exposure, is being remanded for further development.,The Veteran's skin rash disability is presumed to be related to herbicide exposure during service. Service connection for this condition is also being remanded.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's TDIU claim for osteoarthritis of the left ankle, bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, and duodenal ulcer is granted.,TDIU is also granted for hallux valgus of the right foot and hallux valgus of the left foot as these conditions are separately rated at 10 percent each.,The effective dates for the separate grants of service connection and evaluations for hallux valgus of the right foot and hallux valgus of the left foot are set to August 18, 2014.,TDIU is also granted for duodenal ulcer as it is rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation due to a material worsening of his symptoms since his last VA examination.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, hip, and foot disabilities. The Veteran is also being asked to provide an examination to assess the severity of his service-connected degenerative arthritis and IVDS of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various disabilities and a rating in excess of 20 percent for Type II diabetes mellitus. The issues include psychiatric disability (PTSD), lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity neurological disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right calf disability, left calf disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and etiology of his knee disorders. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations to determine if his current knee conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's low back disability is being remanded for a new examination to assess its current severity, as the April 2016 VA examination did not include passive range of motion measurements or weight-bearing testing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review, particularly regarding her left knee disability. The TDIU claim prior to June 26, 2017 remains on hold.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability and its relationship to service or his service-connected left knee condition.

The Veteran's service-connected pes cavus does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not demonstrate limitation of dorsiflexion at ankle to right angle, shortened plantar fascia, or marked tenderness under metatarsal heads.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development and examination due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his conditions.