Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for chondrocalcinosis and osteoarthritis of the right hip, finding that these conditions are related to a right hip injury sustained during active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities, as well as his claims for service connection for hip conditions and TDIU prior to April 4, 2016, require additional development. The effective dates of the granted service connection will be determined based on the evidence received.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of extension or flexion to levels warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus, cervical spine disorder, and lumbar spine disorder. However, further development is needed as the VA examination reports do not provide sufficient information on the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome is rated at 20% prior to May 2, 2018 and at 40% thereafter. The Board denied a higher rating for the disability due to lack of evidence showing limitation of motion or ankylosis. A TDIU was also denied as the Veteran has not been shown to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional records and possible medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's knee disabilities need to be re-evaluated due to incomplete examination and potential worsening of symptoms, necessitating a remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his military service or right knee replacement.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic joint pain, bilateral ankle disabilities, elbow medial epicondylitis, shoulder degenerative arthritis, and wrist de Quervain's syndrome have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a qualifying chronic disability manifested by joint pain due to military service in Southwest Asia as his poly-joint pain has been attributed to diagnosed disabilities.,The Veteran was unable to establish current diagnoses for bilateral ankle disabilities, elbow medial epicondylitis, and wrist de Quervain's syndrome. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability of either ankle or wrists.

The Veteran's left elbow disability is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred during active duty.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or continuity of symptoms post-service.,The Veteran's left leg disability (tingling and numbness) is not service-connected because the radicular symptoms are not linked to any service-connected condition.,The Veteran's left ankle disability is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis was determined to have its onset during service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition on a direct basis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including ischemic heart disease, COPD with pulmonary hypertension, and other disabilities, resulted in significant need for regular aid and attendance. However, the criteria for SMC in excess of 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) were not met.

The Veteran was not shown to be permanently and totally disabled from nonservice-connected disabilities prior to December 8, 2017, and therefore his claim for pension benefits is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of his lumbar spine, cervical spine, and flatfeet.,The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or any in-service injury.

The Veteran's cause of death was not related to service or a service-connected disability. The Appellant did not have any pending claims at the time of her husband's death, and she exceeded the maximum annual pension rate for a surviving spouse.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for right shoulder degenerative arthritis, left foot hallux valgus, and right foot hallux valgus have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation based on current symptomatology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, but denied his claim for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various knee conditions and instability have been denied. The highest schedular rating available for each condition is the current assigned rating.