Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical evidence and an examination to determine if the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is related to his service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, and an effective date of February 3, 2004, was granted for the TDIU.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for kidney cancer and its related conditions, as well as the issue of TDIU. The Veteran's claim for a separate neurological rating associated with his lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis is also being addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and disc degeneration have prevented her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful activity, and she is granted a TDIU effective June 17, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 20 percent evaluation for degenerative arthritis, residual of fracture, iliac bone, right hip is being remanded due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's temporary total rating for left knee osteoarthritis and partial arthroplasty was denied as his convalescence did not meet the criteria after November 30, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions. The issues include reopening a claim for headaches, service connection for diabetes mellitus, muscle twitching in arms and legs secondary to diabetes mellitus, right knee disability, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and tuberculosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability and radiculopathy of the upper extremities were denied, as no earlier effective date can be assigned due to the finality of a previous denial.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, but he is entitled to TDIU benefits effective November 22, 2017.

The Veteran's right wrist disability was granted a 10% rating, but not higher, prior to September 7, 2017.,For the period from April 1, 2008, to December 1, 2008, and February 1, 2009 to January 22, 2014, a 10% rating was granted for left lateral meniscectomy with osteoarthritis. A separate 20% rating is now granted for left knee instability.

The Veteran's left knee disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to July 3, 2019. As of that date, the VA determined a 20 percent evaluation is warranted due to frequent episodes of joint 'locking' and pain.

The Veteran's annual clothing allowance based on static qualifying disability is restored due to the continued use of a prescribed hinged knee brace and topical ointments that cause damage to his clothing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to comply with a Court decision in Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Veteran's right knee status post arthroplasty with history of degenerative joint disease is granted a disability rating of 60 percent, effective October 1, 2013. The other issues related to his thoracolumbar spine strain and right knee conditions have been resolved in his favor.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed it due to lack of allegations of errors in fact or law.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU, which satisfies his appeal for a higher evaluation of PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for Scheuermann's kyphosis and osteoarthritis, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder disability, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service and more likely due to post-service work as a mechanic.

The appeal for service connection for ischemic heart disease, bilateral foot disability restoration, and TDIU is dismissed. The appeals for increased ratings for various spinal disabilities, sensory deficits of the right shoulder and forearm, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and left leg sensory deficit are withdrawn.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD is reopened, but service connection remains denied. The Board has ordered additional development to verify the in-service stressor of abuse and beatings during basic training and AIT. Service connection for chronic pain and an acquired psychiatric disability other than PTSD are also remanded.