Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right foot disability, including bone spurs and gout. The Board also granted service connection for his right toe disability (claimed as a right foot disability).

The Veteran's initial ratings for right and left shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis have been granted, but the rating for his right shoulder is limited to 20 percent prior to March 7, 2016, and 30 percent thereafter. The rating for his left shoulder remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have not met the criteria for a higher rating, and the case is remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's initial increased rating for DDD, lumbar spine is granted from April 17, 2017. However, his claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis remains remanded.,Service connection claims for a right foot disability and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) are also remanded.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of various hip and spine conditions due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.,Service connection is denied for joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness and generalized degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disability, including degenerative arthritis and pes planus, is rated at a combined 20 percent since July 1, 2011. The Board found the symptoms more nearly approximated moderate symptomatology in both feet.

The Veteran's bilateral foot condition is granted as service-connected, with the Board finding it at least as likely as not due to his active duty service.

The Veteran's right knee chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis, status post patellar surgery is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his symptoms and functional loss.

The Veteran's tinnitus and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine have been granted service connection.,Other issues, including those related to the lumbar spine, left leg sciatica, left ankle strain, psychiatric disorder, hearing loss, and bilateral foot condition, are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the VA examination report and the need for clarification regarding the Veteran's right knee condition.

The Veteran's service connection claim for depressive disorder is remanded.,Special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ is denied as a matter of law.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a traumatic brain injury is denied. The Veteran's depression and right shoulder tendonitis with degenerative arthritis are both rated at their maximum levels, but the Veteran's headaches secondary to trauma do not warrant an increased rating.

The Veteran's hypertension is not shown to demonstrate diastolic pressure that is predominantly 110 or greater or systolic pressure that is 200 or greater, and therefore a rating in excess of 10 percent for hypertension is denied. The Board finds the VA examination report incomplete and requires further medical guidance due to Correia v. McDonald (2016).

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his left knee disability, which is rated at the maximum of 60 percent since August 1, 2012, has been denied. The amputation rule prevents any increase in rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disability and coccygeal disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability, specifically his osteoarthritis with moderate instability and status post meniscectomy, is rated at 20% effective August 20, 2018. The TDIU claim is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and he requires assistive devices to walk. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on his ability to use assistive devices for locomotion.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by degenerative arthritis and a radial tear of the anterior horn of the meniscus, was found to not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent. The evidence did not demonstrate flexion limited to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees, nor did it show frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint.

The Board has found that the higher rating claims for left knee disability and acquired psychiatric disability, as well as the claim for a TDIU, remain on appeal. The appeals are remanded due to procedural errors in issuing supplemental statements of the case (SSOC).