Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that his current condition is related to an in-service injury and resolving all doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's bilateral knee degenerative osteoarthritis is granted service connection. The Veteran's left eye extraocular muscle dysfunction with diplopia, status-post surgical revision of orbital fracture, is remanded for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II, was not incurred during service or as a result of an in-service injury, disease, or event. Therefore, his claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including asbestosis, cervical and lumbar spine conditions, shoulder osteoarthritis, tinnitus, knee degenerative arthritis, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disorders. The Veteran is advised to provide any additional medical evidence and report for scheduled examinations.

The Veteran's increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees are denied. The Board found no evidence that her knee disabilities caused or aggravated her lumbosacral spine disability, thus denying service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee chondromalacia with osteoarthritis are currently assigned separate 10 percent evaluations, which the Board finds insufficient to warrant higher ratings based on current functional limitations.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including for cirrhosis of the liver, GERD, prostate enlargement, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine (neck condition), and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for a new VA examination and review of treatment records, particularly from St. Anthony's.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, right hip osteoarthritis, left hip osteoarthritis, and tinnitus due to incomplete service medical records. The Veteran is advised to provide alternative forms of evidence and any pertinent treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with callosities is rated at 50% since March 12, 2019. The Board granted TDIU from December 1, 2015 to March 11, 2019 due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD, a low back disability, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, a lumbar back scar, and tinnitus. The remaining claims have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations and information to determine appropriate disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a right leg condition and ear infections due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions. The Veteran's claims will be further developed with additional VA examinations.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of PTSD and increased ratings for various knee and spine disabilities, as well as a compensable rating for dermatitis.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for left knee osteoarthritis status post total knee replacement after November 1, 2017, was denied. The claim for TDIU prior to September 7, 2016, was also denied.

The Veteran's lumbar osteoarthritis to include lumbar strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine was granted service connection with an effective date of September 12, 2016. The Veteran's sleep apnea (claimed as sleep disturbances) and acquired psychiatric disorder were denied service connection.

The Board granted service connection for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, effective January 6, 2010, and a 40 percent evaluation for lumbar osteoarthritis L5/S1 (previously diagnosed as degenerative disc disease and spondylosis of L4-5 and L5-S1), effective February 29, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and a left ankle disability, both of which are determined to be etiologically related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to VA's failure to obtain private treatment records from specific providers. The appellant is required to provide releases and obtain any relevant medical records.