Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, PTSD with depressive disorder, left ankle degenerative changes, right knee degenerative arthritis, right knee laxity, and tinea and lymphocytic leukemia, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbar disc herniation and nerve root compression is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess functional limitation during flare-ups.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for his service-connected right knee, left ankle, and cervical spine disorders due to a lack of VA examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, mood disorder, anxiety and depression) as there is no evidence that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to in-service injuries or diseases.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating during the periods specified.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for right and left hip disabilities, as well as her degenerative arthritis of the right hand, was granted. A rating in excess of 20 percent for low back strain is denied. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at a 30 percent since April 2, 2016.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, with limitation of motion prior to September 29, 2015, does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hand osteoarthritis is at least as likely as not incurred in service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses and ambulance transportation services incurred during a non-VA hospitalization at McLaren Bay Regional Medical Center on June 23, 2015 are granted. The private hospitalization was for a nonservice-connected condition.

The Veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis was rated as 20 percent disabling since November 17, 2015. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional impairment or pain.

The Veteran's wrist disabilities have been evaluated as non-compensable. The Board has found no evidence of limitation to range of motion, painful motion, or functional loss in either wrist. The lower leg disorders remain unresolved and require further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to find and follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds it at least equipoise that he is unable to secure such employment.

The Board has denied service connection for a thoracic spine disability, but has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and plantar fasciitis disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was denied a higher rating, and the bilateral hearing loss disability was also denied a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been granted increased ratings, with the right knee receiving a maximum rating of 30 percent for moderate instability since January 16, 2016. The left knee received separate ratings for slight instability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS and spinal stenosis. The remand includes requesting additional medical records, including a May 30, 2006 treatment note from UPMC Passavant Hospital, and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of December 21, 2016.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for service-connected left and right shoulder conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.