Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and left knee was denied as there is no evidence showing that his symptoms warranted a rating in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent.

The Board has found insufficient evidence of the Veteran's current right knee and ankle functioning to adjudicate his claims for higher evaluations at this time, and thus remands the matter for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's claim for a 70 percent rating for PTSD from September 26, 2012 forward is granted. The effective date of the increased rating is March 7, 2014.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, acquired psychiatric disability (depressive disorder and insomnia), and denied service connection for tinnitus. The effective date remains October 28, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, a left wrist disorder, and vasectomy residuals were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD or other psychological disorders, and the VA treatment records did not support such a finding. For the remaining issues, additional development is needed as there are insufficient medical opinions to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board has granted a higher initial disability rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability, which was previously rated as 10 percent. The increased rating is based on frequent episodes of 'locking,' pain, and effusion in the right knee.

The Board denied service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and granted TDIU from June 1, 2011 to March 14, 2018. The appeal regarding TDIU from March 14, 2018 is pending.

The Board has identified errors in the VA examination opinions related to the Veteran's hearing loss and neck disabilities, and thus remanded these issues for further development.

The Veteran's initial claim for increased ratings for his thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and right knee arthritis was denied. For the period prior to July 29, 2019, he is not entitled to an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his back disability. Beginning July 29, 2019, he is also not entitled to a higher evaluation for his back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to incomplete service records and additional relevant evidence being associated with the record.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, right knee arthritis, left hip arthritis, and right hip arthritis are presumed to have been incurred in service. The Veteran's right ankle disability and left shoulder arthritis and right shoulder arthritis are proximately due (subsequent manifestation) of his now service-connected arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition and TBI have been reopened due to new and material evidence. However, both claims were denied as there is no established link between the conditions and military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient clarification of the Veteran's kyphosis condition, which is a part of his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his current employment as a letter carrier does not meet the criteria for TDIU due to marginal employment.

The appeals for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease, left hip, with degenerative arthritis and an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for total knee arthoplasty, right knee from December 1, 2016 have been withdrawn by the Veteran.,The appeal seeking an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis, right knee prior to October 5, 2015 has been dismissed as there is no evidence of compensable limitation of motion. A separate rating of 10 percent was granted for slight recurrent lateral instability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right ankle disorder, finding that it is not related to his active service.,Service connection was denied for the Veteran's claimed right foot disorder (degenerative arthritis), as there is no evidence linking it to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of erectile dysfunction and acid reflux as secondary to service-connected disabilities, including medications taken therefor. The Veteran is also seeking an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for cervical spondylosis with degenerative arthritis and a compensable evaluation for chronic diarrhea.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right leg disorder other than right lower extremity radiculopathy, left ankle disorder, and right ankle disorder due to lack of current diagnosis. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of October 18, 2008.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis with IVDS of the lumbar spine is granted an initial rating of 40 percent from June 1, 2008.