Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an increased evaluation for left knee osteoarthritis prior to January 8, 2018 were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service noise exposure or incurrence of a left knee disability during service, respectively.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability due to further development and examination being necessary.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity and back disability have been dismissed.,A 50 percent rating, but no higher, has been granted for Major Depressive Disorder from January 26, 2010 to July 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left leg injury, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and left ankle degenerative arthritis have been granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD) is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for facial scarring, left toe injury (ingrown toenail), and right eye injury due to a lack of evidence showing permanent worsening or causation during active service.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disability has been denied. He is currently rated at 60% since January 17, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied because he did not return the required VA Form 21-8940, which is needed to substantiate his claim. The Board also noted that the RO improperly referred the matter to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, diagnosed as cervical spondylosis and degenerative joint disease, is related to his military service.,New evidence has been received that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim for a right knee disorder. The claim is therefore reopened.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the remaining issues on appeal due to a lack of current evidence of these conditions. The Veteran's claims for emphysema, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, and arthritis are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his right hip and right knee disabilities, as well as to assess whether pain significantly limits his functional ability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inaccurate factual premise regarding the Veteran's service in 2010 and a need for additional medical opinions. The VA will obtain the Veteran’s complete service personnel record, verify his training status on the date of injury, and schedule him for a VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disorder and a bilateral knee disorder. The Veteran's claim for left ear hearing loss is remanded, as there are insufficient medical opinions regarding whether his current hearing loss is related to military noise exposure.,The Veteran's TBI claim is also remanded, with an addendum opinion needed to address the significant threshold shift in his left ear during service.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is remanded, and the claim for an earlier effective date for degenerative arthritis, bilateral knee condition remains denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral foot disability is granted. The Board finds the evidence at least in equipoise as to whether his current bilateral foot disability is related to documented complaints during service, and resolves any reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied due to lack of evidence showing the disabilities manifested within a year prior to the June 20, 2012 claim.,All VA medical records dated prior to June 20, 2012 and since March 2017 should be added to the claims file.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disorder is currently rated at 40 percent, effective December 2, 2014.,Service connection for the left hip trochanteric bursitis and abductor tear following surgery has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee arthritis and multiple foot and hip conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee chondromalacia patella and osteoarthritis (flexion) and extension were denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for flexion, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and meniscectomy with chondromalacia are found to be directly related, warranting a temporary 100% disability rating post-total knee arthroplasty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The hearing loss claim is denied, and the cervical and thoracic spine conditions are not supported by the evidence. Service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease and right knee degenerative joint disease remains pending.