Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS and its impact on his employment. The issues of increased rating and TDIU are inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's bilateral pes cavus and chronic left tennis elbow with recurrent adhesions, status post ulnar nerve transposition are currently rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for these conditions.,The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral pain with degenerative arthritis requires further examination to determine if he has a severe disability warranting an increased rating.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, bilateral knee pain, and bilateral hearing loss as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.,There was no indication of any in-service event, disease, or injury related to the Veteran's current disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected orthopedic disabilities. His right hip disability remains at a 10 percent rating prior to March 8, 2019.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, low back, and knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded to obtain updated treatment records from Darnall AMC and to schedule the Veteran for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his right shoulder disability and the current severity of his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and special monthly compensation based on need of regular aid and attendance are all remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and vertebral dislocation was denied. The Board found that an increase rating above 10 percent prior to September 23, 2016, or in excess of 40 percent thereafter is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development and examination to determine if his hip, knee, and foot disabilities are related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU based on this finding.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis. The left hip condition is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion from a medical professional regarding its relationship to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle/foot disability, lumbar degenerative joint disease, and related issues due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was also denied for left lower extremity neuropathy with obturator nerve involvement as there is no direct evidence or link between the condition and service.

The Board denied an increased initial disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with DDD, finding that the Veteran's condition did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating due to limitations in range of motion and functional loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings have been denied. The appeal is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction and headaches are not service-connected.,Right knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent, but the claim for a higher rating is remanded. Maxillary sinusitis with allergic rhinitis has been granted an initial compensable rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current back disabilities and his in-service motor vehicle accident. The Veteran is required to provide a VA examination to address this issue.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than January 8, 2013 for service connection and increased ratings have been denied.,Effective from December 27, 2012, the Veteran received increased ratings for post-operative laparotomy scar and a neck scar (characterized as residual scar of the head, face, or neck).

The Board has determined that the May 2017 VA examination is inadequate for rating purposes and a new examination is needed to assess the severity of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request for an extension of a temporary total rating beyond February 28, 2011. The case is being remanded for further examination and consideration of increased ratings for right shoulder rotator cuff injury with osteoarthritis and right knee unicondylar revision arthroplasty.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder, lumbosacral strain, and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation. Additionally, the issue of secondary service connection for right knee osteoarthritis is also being remanded.