Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis with degenerative arthritis were not severe enough to warrant a rating greater than 10 percent prior to December 1, 2018.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and a low back disorder. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is rated at 40 percent, effective October 20, 2014. His left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 20 percent, also effective October 20, 2014. The Veteran's TDIU claim prior to this date remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was denied. The RO found that the disability did not meet criteria for a rating greater than 20 percent prior to April 13, 2018 and did not meet criteria for a rating greater than 40 percent since April 13, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip osteoarthritis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD). The Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are found to be related to her service-connected PTSD. A 30 percent disability rating is assigned for left hip osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was insufficient evidence to show that his current back condition had its onset in service or is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected traumatic neuropathy.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee condition, finding that the Veteran's current condition is more likely due to post-service events and obesity. The claim was not reopened as new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and records to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder dislocation, right knee osteoarthritis, lumbar spine degenerative disc and joint disease, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding service connection for a low back disability. The Veteran's claim will be returned for another examination and an addendum opinion.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral degenerative arthritis of the feet and granted service connection for bilateral pes planus. The Board found that arthritis was not incurred in or caused by service, but that pes planus began during service.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability has been granted a 20 percent rating. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted. The Veteran's claims for service connection of radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, and dizziness and reduced equilibrium have all been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The rating for DDD of the lumbar spine remains at 20 percent, asbestosis is rated at zero percent, and a right hip disorder was not found to be related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left knee chondromalacia osteoarthritis was denied as his condition did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD was also denied, as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's disability evaluation guidelines.

The Veteran's service connection claims for osteoarthritis of the right and left knees, as well as tinnitus, have been granted. The case has been remanded for further development regarding his bilateral hearing loss and heart disorder claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right knee, left foot, and right arm conditions. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's income is less than the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) for a survivor with no dependents, and thus she is entitled to nonservice-connected death pension benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current left shoulder disability had onset during his period of active duty service. The Veteran will need a VA examination to address this issue.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and right knee osteoarthritis due to conflicting opinions on secondary service connection.