Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left hip disorder, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is not etiologically related to his active service. The evidence does not establish a current left knee disorder.,The residuals of dental surgery during active service are not a disability for which the Veteran can receive compensation benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee disabilities. The issues of increased ratings for his right knee degenerative arthritis, limitation of motion, and residual scar have been remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal requires remand for several issues, including right ear hearing loss and osteoarthritis of the left knee as secondary to service-connected degenerative joint disease, lumbosacral spine L5-S1. The Veteran is also required to undergo additional examinations for his right shoulder, lumbosacral spine, and dysthymic disorder.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent effective December 6, 2017. The rating was increased from a previous 20 percent prior to this date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities, as well as his claim for a TDIU prior to May 14, 2012. The remand requires additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis, symptomatic removal/dislocation of semilunar cartilage in the knees, and limitation of extension have been denied. The RO has assigned maximum schedular ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his dorsal spine degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for another VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an unspecified right foot disorder was denied as the evidence did not show a current disability. The claim for service connection of low back pain, related to his service-connected knee disabilities, was granted.,Service connection is established for low back pain due to service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right ankle is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that there is not enough evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal includes two issues: a request for an increased rating for his left knee scars and another for his left knee osteoarthritis. Both claims are being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and ratings for various conditions has been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral shoulder and ankle disabilities are insufficient to adjudicate the claims on appeal. Therefore, the claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining updated medical records, arranging for a gastroenterologist examination to assess the severity of service-connected dyspepsia, and considering referral for extraschedular TDIU prior to October 13, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for total right hip replacement with osteoarthritis, finding that it did not have its onset during active duty service and was not otherwise related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions in prior VA examinations, and a new orthopedic opinion is needed.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral degenerative arthritis of the feet. The issues of service connection for bilateral hand disability and right shoulder disability are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20% evaluation prior to December 29, 2008 and a 40% evaluation from June 1, 2009, to February 17, 2010, and from February 18, 2010, to April 28, 2016. The claim for an increased rating since April 29, 2016 is denied.

The Board has granted a 20% rating for limitation of left knee flexion for the entire appeal period, effective from the date of the decision. The Veteran's left knee extension is rated as noncompensable prior to April 19, 2017 and 10% since January 1, 2018 due to instability.

The appeal for earlier effective dates for service connection of thoracic degenerative arthritis and thoracic scoliosis (claimed as back injury/back strain) is remanded.,The appeal for earlier effective date for service connection of depression is also remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and the Board has no jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of the appeal.