Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

Service connection for PTSD is granted, and a 10 percent disability rating for right ankle sprain is granted. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's left knee strain was rated at 10 percent prior to July 18, 2016. The RO granted a separate rating of 100 percent for service-connected residuals of total left knee replacement effective July 18, 2016.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for back disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral ankle disability have been granted. The Board found that the current diagnoses are related to service.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for both conditions are inadequate and remands the cases for further development.

The Board has granted an effective date of May 1, 2016 for the grant of service connection for left shoulder acromioclavicular degenerative joint disease. The decision is based on the Veteran's separation from active service and the diagnosis of mild degenerative changes in the left acromioclavicular joint prior to his discharge.

The Veteran's right wrist osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5124. The Board finds no evidence of ankylosis and denies a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his left knee disabilities due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's initial rating for degenerative arthritis, left knee with limitation of flexion is denied. The Veteran's PTSD ratings are also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis, obstructive sleep apnea, and headaches are service-connected. However, the Veteran's left wrist disability is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's hypertension was denied a compensable disability rating, and the Board found that the evidence did not support a history of diastolic blood pressure predominantly 100 mm. or more requiring continuous medication.,Effective dates for increased ratings were granted for left knee patellar subluxation and right knee patellofemoral strain with osteoarthritis and chondromalacia.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection remain pending. The Board finds that further development is needed to address the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for right hip degenerative arthritis for limitation of extension, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip degenerative arthritis for limitation of flexion, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip degenerative arthritis for limitation of adduction and rotation, a compensable rating for right knee osteoarthritis, a compensable rating for left foot plantar fasciitis, and a compensable rating for left great toe osteoarthritis.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also pending. The Board finds that further development is needed to address the issues of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for right hip degenerative arthritis for limitation of extension, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip degenerative arthritis for limitation of flexion, a rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip degenerative arthritis for limitation of adduction and rotation, a compensable rating for right knee osteoarthritis, a compensable rating for left foot plantar fasciitis, and a compensable rating for left great toe osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and right shoulder strain were denied. The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for right shoulder strain from July 21, 2014 to July 7, 2016, but the claim for an increased rating beyond this period was denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis and PTSD have been granted service connection.,An initial rating of 50 percent for unspecified depressive disorder and PTSD has been granted.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate for adjudication purposes and remands the case to obtain a new one.

The Veteran's right knee disability, prior to May 10, 2017, was rated at 10 percent due to painful motion and effusion. After May 10, 2017, the Veteran received a total knee replacement which resulted in a permanent rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 22, 2013 for the award of service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and left ankle disorders are found to be related to his military service, with the knee disorders potentially secondary to improper footwear or a change in gait due to his left ankle disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant, who was substituted as the claimant.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disorder, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred during active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying his claimed exposure to herbicides in Thailand. The issues of service connection for PTSD, COPD, degenerative arthritis, eczematous dermatosis, GERD, hepatitis C, and an acquired psychiatric disorder remain unresolved.