Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board dismissed all issues related to initial ratings for left knee conditions due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's right foot disability, including degenerative arthritis of the talonavicular and subtalar joints, is rated at 30 percent. A separate rating of 10 percent for limitation of motion in the right ankle is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for medial malleolus ossific densities of the left ankle. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to January 18, 2017, for service connection of various conditions were denied.,Claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, left knee meniscal injury, PTSD, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and a left knee scar were also denied.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with scoliosis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence.

The Board has found that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate examinations. The VA needs to schedule new examinations to assess the severity of his knee disabilities and thoracolumbar spine disability, including any flare-ups.

The Board has denied reopening of previously denied claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee and foot disorders, heart disorder, eye injury residuals, Meniere’s Syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the upper extremities, left shoulder injury, right wrist disorder, fractured ribs, ear disorder (excluding hearing loss), tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, bleeding disorder, and diabetes mellitus. The Board also remanded for further action on a claim for service connection for a left wrist disorder.

The Veteran's appeal regarding his cervical spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and cervical myelopathy, has been dismissed as he withdrew the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for service connection for sprain, both ankles is granted. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss disability is denied. The claims of increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis (lumbosacral disability), cervical strain, and coronary artery disease (CAD) are remanded. The claims of service connection for left ankle disability, right ankle disability, left hand disability, and right hand disability are also remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right wrist osteoarthritis and strain are related to an in-service injury, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted TDIU. The right knee issues are remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the appellant's service-connected disabilities alone cause him to be housebound or in need of aid and attendance from another person.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and lower extremity radiculopathy were rated, with the right and left lower extremities receiving separate ratings. The Veteran received a 60% rating for both conditions since October 30, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for a scar across the right lateral posterior flank has been granted with a 10 percent disability rating. The PTSD with alcohol use in full remission from February 25, 2014 to July 22, 2017 and TDIU have also been granted. However, his claim for osteoarthritis and degenerative spondylosis has been remanded.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine, left shoulder degenerative joint disease, and bilateral foot disorder are all granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's disability rating for his lumbar spine condition was restored to 40 percent effective November 13, 2014. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for osteoarthritis of the right hip and traumatic arthritis of the left ankle due to new evidence showing an increase in symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability prior to October 14, 2013 was denied. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for the symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage beginning October 14, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and lower back injury, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of his left knee disabilities and sleep apnea. The VA must provide an adequate opinion on whether these conditions are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability or atrial fibrillation, respectively.