Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right femoral nerve was granted service connection effective December 24, 2014.,A scar of the right leg was also granted service connection effective December 24, 2014. The rating for this condition is currently at 10%.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder received a 10% disability rating effective December 24, 2013.,GERD and IBS were granted service connection effective December 24, 2014. The Veteran is currently rated at 30% for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim due to new and material evidence, and now finds that the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's tinnitus and cirrhosis of the liver claims are denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.,Right knee osteoarthritis and left knee osteoarthritis have been remanded for further evaluation due to insufficient medical evidence on record.

The Board denied an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that the Veteran's pain and occasional swelling do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, as well as his denials of acid reflux and erectile dysfunction. The claims will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from tending to his daily activities, thus he does not require regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, cervical spine osteoarthritis, left knee degenerative joint disease, and genitourinary disorder (kidney disease). The decision also noted that the claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) was denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no causal relationship between the conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and medical opinions regarding the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that there is no reliable evidence linking a lumbar disability to service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his hip, knee, ankle, lumbar spine, and radiculopathy conditions. The claims are also remanded for a rating in excess of the current 10 percent ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and right ankle.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU award.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and back disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations that comply with recent court decisions.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is not the cause of his lumbar spine and hip disabilities. The Board denied claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right hip, as well as a higher rating for medial-lateral instability of the right knee associated with right knee meniscectomy.

The Veteran's residuals of a left ankle fracture are currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted. The issues of service connection for heart disability and an acquired psychiatric disorder have been remanded due to new evidence or clarification needed.

The Board denied service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis with effusion, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not shown as chronic in service or within a presumptive period and did not manifest to a compensable degree. The claim is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus due to insufficient opinions in the February 2017 VA examination report. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for joint disorder (osteoarthritis) and acquired psychiatric disorder, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.,There is no indication of any current symptoms or diagnoses related to right leg disorder or right wrist injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, residuals of fractured pelvis, left lower extremity, and residuals of fractured pelvis, right lower extremity were denied. The evidence did not show any limitation of motion or ankylosis that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU have been remanded.