Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU, as well as service connection for back and hip conditions. The AOJ must obtain a VA examination and opinions to determine the current nature and severity of the knee disability and whether it permanently worsened any current back or right hip condition.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with mild to moderate osteoarthritis and degenerative spondylosis of the lumbar spine, associated with right hip impairment post stress fracture femoral neck, is not rated higher than 20 percent. The radiculopathy of the right lower extremity is granted at a 10 percent rating prior to April 29, 2015 and denied thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and therefore his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or causal relationship to service.,Service connection for swelling of the left testicle was denied due to lack of documented pathology and continuity of symptomatology.,Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not granted service connection as they did not manifest within the applicable presumptive period and there is no evidence linking them to in-service noise exposure or other events.,Service connection for eczematous dermatitis was denied due to lack of a current diagnosis related to service, including fuel exposure during service.,Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was granted a 20% rating as it meets the criteria under Diagnostic Code 5242.,Increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was not granted as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to address the nature and etiology of his sleep apnea, as well as the severity of his back disability with associated radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities. The issues of service connection for sleep apnea, ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and TDIU are also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis, left knee chondromalacia, and spondylosis of the lumbar spine have been denied. The evidence does not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran was unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran is granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee as it is a chronic disability that has continuously manifested since separation from service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with radiculitis is currently rated at 10 percent from February 27, 2013 to October 24, 2018 and 20 percent thereafter. The Board finds that these ratings are not supported by the evidence.,The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that this rating is not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, and a left knee disability. The Veteran was not diagnosed with these conditions during or within one year of his separation from service.,The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a left arm disability due to a laceration sustained in service.

The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 10 percent evaluation for osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion, and a 10 percent evaluation for extension. Right knee instability received a 10 percent evaluation.,For the left knee, the Veteran received a 10 percent evaluation for osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion, and a 20 percent evaluation for moderate instability. The residuals from his total knee replacement were granted a 60 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as secondary to flat feet with heel spurs and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the unavailability of SSA records and the need to issue an SSOC addressing all issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot condition and low back condition due to inadequate opinions in the VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for her current foot conditions, which she believes are related to military service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and bilateral hip osteoarthritis, but has remanded the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorder) and obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a separate compensable evaluation for left knee instability, finding that there was no evidence of left knee instability or subluxation during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's spouse requires regular aid and attendance due to multiple health conditions, including fibromyalgia, lumbosacral strain, cervicalgia, lower extremity radicular pain, right shoulder osteoarthritis, COPD, and anxiety disorder. The Board granted the claim for aid and attendance special monthly compensation (SMC) for care of the Veteran’s spouse.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding his claimed conditions. The Veteran is to be provided with additional examinations by clinicians who have not previously examined him.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between his in-service shoulder pain and his current condition.