Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted an extension of a temporary total evaluation due to surgical convalescence from January 1, 2015 to February 1, 2015 for the Veteran's left knee surgery. The appeal regarding a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder rotator cuff tear and cervical spine degenerative disc disease were denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating than 20 percent at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee gout, left shoulder DJD, and lumbar spine DJD were denied as the evidence did not meet the schedular criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right shoulder disability. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his current condition is related to his service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis, right hip and left hip is denied. The Veteran's appeal for secondary service connection for a right knee disability due to his service-connected left knee disability is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent throughout the appeal period.,Service connection for a back disability, including as due to service-connected bilateral hallux valgus and bilateral knee disabilities, is denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran’s current back disability and her service-connected bilateral hallux valgus or knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis/tinea versicolor, TMJ, and right shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent, and the effective date for this rating is May 16, 2017. Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with sciatica as secondary to bilateral pes planus is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and cervical spine disability, as well as his request for an increased rating for lumbar strain. The effective date of the grant of a 20% evaluation for lumbar strain was not granted.

The appeal of the issues related to migraines, diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease, and left second metacarpal fracture is dismissed as these conditions have been awarded service connection. The issue of service connection for a left shoulder condition is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, finding that there is no evidence of a diagnosis of any knee disability during service or within one year of separation from active duty. The Board also found no competent evidence linking the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral knee arthritis to his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any of his claimed conditions are related to military service or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition, including pes planus, finding that there was no evidence to support his contention that he incurred this condition during service.

Service connection has been granted for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and cognitive impairment residual to a traumatic brain injury (TBI).,Remaining issues of entitlement to service connection have been remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his knee disabilities and service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran will need to provide information about any private healthcare providers who have treated him, and VA will obtain these records. He will also be scheduled for a VA examination to assess the severity of his knee conditions and an audiologist will examine him to determine if he has hearing loss related to military service.

The Veteran's rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective September 1, 2018. The Board found that this reduction was void ab initio due to a failure to apply the correct criteria and restored the original rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss, a foot condition (claimed as plantar fasciitis), and Crohn’s disease due to inadequate examinations and lack of consideration of certain factors.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided for the Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative joint disease (DJD) and bilateral hearing loss are inadequate. The Veteran also raised a claim of entitlement to TDIU, which is inextricably intertwined with the other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a higher evaluation for osteoarthritis of the left knee has been withdrawn by the appellant.