Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2022

The Veteran's right knee condition is currently rated at 20% and left knee condition at 10%. The appeals for increased ratings are REMANDED.,Eligibility for automobile or adaptive equipment was denied as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for loss of use of one or both feet, hands, vision, or severe burn injury.

The Veteran's right knee osteochondroma, meniscal tear, and joint osteoarthritis are rated at a 20 percent evaluation for the entire appellate period.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip osteoarthritis, status post left hip replacement, as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic or on-going medical condition associated with and/or aggravated by his military service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine and his service-connected scar, gunshot wound to the abdomen, right side lateral chest wall.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU benefits prior to December 9, 2016, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran is granted a schedular TDIU effective July 18, 2016. The Board also referred the claim to the Director for extraschedular consideration prior to that date.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconclusive evidence regarding a current diagnosis of nondegenerative arthritis and requests for an additional VA examination, updated bloodwork, if necessary, and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease (CAD) due to presumed herbicide agent exposure in Thailand, and also granted service connection for osteoarthritis lumbar spine as secondary to a service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection, while his allergic rhinitis is granted a non-compensable rating prior to August 27, 2015 and a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Veteran's left ankle disability remains denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back disability and acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence in the record, including lack of nexus opinions based on STRs and continuity of care after service. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his military experiences are also considered.

The Veteran's initial rating for left ankle disability is granted at a 20 percent level. Service connection for cold injury to the hands and hematosis acid reflux indigestion (GERD) are remanded due to inadequate nexus opinions.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including a new VA examination for the Veteran's low back disability and service connection claims for psychiatric disorders, elbow, wrist, hand, and respiratory disabilities. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his low back disability and service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of the left ankle, knee, and hip do not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU rating. The Board finds that they are not shown to be of such nature and severity as to render him unable to secure and maintain regular substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities, internal hemorrhoids, TBI, and headaches with migraine features have been granted service connection.,An increased rating of 10 percent has been granted for the left and right knee disabilities since July 7, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for left and right shoulder disorders, cervical spine disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral ankle disorders due to conflicting opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service records do not provide clear evidence of chronicity of care or treatment.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle, shoulder, and arm disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no direct or secondary evidence supporting the claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to incomplete development of the record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities were denied. The left knee disability was rated at 30 percent since April 20, 2015 and the right knee disability from April 20, 2015 to June 1, 2021 was also rated at 10 percent. On and after June 2, 2021, the right knee disability was denied a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including the residuals of a total knee replacement, is rated at 60 percent effective October 1, 2019. Prior to August 14, 2018, the disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied service connection for a low back disability and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus, hallux valgus, and sinus tarsitis.,Service connection is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding all current disabilities of the Veteran's feet.