Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, finding that it is not directly related to service or secondary to his service-connected bilateral chondromalacia patella.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his employment status.

The Veteran's hypertension, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy associated with DDD of the lumbar spine, and bilateral knee arthritis have been granted service connection. Service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability and bilateral ankle disability has not been established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, and TDIU due to issues with compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to March 8, 2019. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding his unemployability due to these conditions.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities have been denied. The VA has determined that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot degenerative osteoarthritis, first metatarsal head and plantar fasciitis/tendonitis, finding that these conditions were not incurred in or related to his active service.

The Veteran's hypertension is rated at 10 percent, and the Board found no evidence to warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's thoracic osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board determined that the disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.,The Veteran was granted separate ratings of 10 percent each for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities, as his symptoms are analogous to mild incomplete paralysis of the femoral nerve.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied due to lack of evidence showing chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology post-service.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his cervical spine disability, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar spine disability is granted. The claims for right upper extremity radiculopathy and right lower extremity radiculopathy are also granted with specific ratings.

The Board has denied service connection for pes planus and remanded the issue of service connection for a foot disorder, other than pes planus. The case is now pending with instructions to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of any current foot disorders.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, osteoarthritis lumbar spine with scoliosis, radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, and TDIU. The case is remanded for additional examinations to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for proper range of motion assessments.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine is granted. The Board finds that remand is necessary to address his claims for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and unspecified anxiety disorder.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability from October 27, 2010 to January 28, 2016.,Beginning October 27, 2010, the Veteran is also granted special monthly compensation based on statutory housebound status.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral pes planus, left sensory neuropathy of the sural nerve, degenerative arthritis of the spine, left ankle sprain, and pseudofolliculitis) preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation for the period prior to October 19, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, primarily his acquired psychiatric disorder and lower back disability, render him unemployable. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran’s current bilateral hearing loss is related to acoustic trauma experienced during service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's left shoulder condition, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic in-service injury or disease and that any current disability is not related to an in-service event. The Board found the Veteran's assertions regarding continuous pain since service were not credible due to internal inconsistencies with his medical records.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion and 20 percent for limitation of extension, effective from the date of the November 2, 2017 VA examination.