Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his right knee disorder and right ankle fracture due to inadequate opinions regarding aggravation of his preexisting conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder disability due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle arthritis but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral eye condition is not service-connected as refractive error does not qualify for VA compensation.,There is no current diagnosis of hypertension, and the claim for secondary service connection to PTSD is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 20 percent for postoperative reconstructive surgery patellofemoral disease with scars. The case has been remanded due to examination deficiencies and the need for additional development, including a new VA examination for the right knee and scars, and medical opinions on functional loss and impact of hydrocodone treatment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed in-service stressor. The claims for secondary service connection for degenerative arthritis and direct service connection for DM and Parkinson's disease were also denied as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted a higher 10 percent initial rating for the Veteran's right ankle degenerative arthritis, effective July 21, 2015. The disability is rated based on limitation of motion under DC 5271.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his right ankle degenerative arthritis status post chronic recurrent ankle sprains is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development.

The Veteran's lower back condition is rated at 20 percent from September 7, 2017.,The Veteran's left leg condition is rated at 10 percent since April 9, 2010.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for osteoarthritis of the left knee, right knee, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to lack of VA examination opinions on etiology.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for right and left ankle conditions due to a failure to comply with instructions in the Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMR). The Veteran's claim must be remanded to obtain an addendum opinion that complies with the December 2017 remand directives, including considering all lay assertions. A new VA examination is also required to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral ankle conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for his knee disabilities have been remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder and medications. A temporary total rating for convalescence following back surgery is granted, with a 40% rating for the back disability from October 1, 2011 to January 17, 2016. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for the back disability after January 18, 2016 is denied. His acquired psychiatric disorder does not meet criteria for a TDIU. A total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back pain was reopened and granted. Service connection for right knee joint osteoarthritis is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the distal joints of the fourth and fifth digits of the bilateral hands, finding that it had its onset during active duty. The temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 is also granted.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU due to service-connected right knee disabilities, as there is insufficient information in the record regarding the combined functional effects of all service-connected right knee disabilities on the Veteran's ability to perform substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right fibular fracture disability is granted at a 30% rating, effective from April 3, 2019.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for sacroiliac osteoarthritis, DDD of the cervical spine, and headaches due to new evidence. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent but no higher. TDIU is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left and right foot hallux valgus, as well as his claim for service connection for bilateral foot arthritis. The issues will be returned to the Board after issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC).