Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that service connection for tinnitus is warranted, and the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is granted an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right and left thumbs prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left knee osteoarthritis, left leg pain, and right shin/leg pain. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of sufficient severity to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all issues related to service connection, including diabetes mellitus, skin disorder, osteoarthritis, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, and neuropathy.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disabilities, including congenital lumbar scoliosis, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and lumbar spondylosis, are not related to active service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Veteran's left knee posttraumatic osteoarthritis has been rated at 20 percent for moderate instability, as per Diagnostic Code 5257. The rating is based on the Veteran's reports of instability and use of assistive devices.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and ensuring compliance with prior remand directives. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral knee conditions and left leg neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since April 1, 2009. Effective April 12, 2017, the Veteran's total disability rating was increased to 80 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability manifesting in upset stomach and/or chest pain, or any other condition related to service connection. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran is currently assigned a 20 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability and a 20 percent rating for his left lower extremity radiculopathy, effective May 31, 2017.,From March 23, 2012, to prior to May 31, 2017, the Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability and a 10 percent rating for his left lower extremity radiculopathy. After May 31, 2017, both conditions are rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran is seeking an increased initial evaluation for left knee osteoarthritis and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional records associated with the Veteran's State disability retirement in June 2006, and to adjudicate the claim of entitlement to TDIU.

The Board found that the September 2009 rating decision improperly increased the Veteran's ratings for his service-connected right knee injury and mild osteoarthritis of the right hip to 20 percent. The reduction from these ratings to 10 percent is considered proper based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left thumb disability, to include residuals of a left thumb fracture. However, further development is needed as the VA examination and additional medical records are required before the claims can be adjudicated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to evaluate the severity of his cervical spine disability, as well as for obtaining updated treatment records. The Veteran seeks an increased initial rating for his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The appellant has withdrawn all issues on appeal. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these claims.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for the Veteran's right knee medial meniscus tear and degenerative arthritis, effective from November 29, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the issues of increased evaluations for his bilateral plantar fasciitis are also denied.,Service connection for coronary artery disease and testicular cancer was not granted as they were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability and whether a separate rating is warranted under 38 C.F.R. § 4.71a, DC 5259 (cartilage, semilunar, removal of, symptomatic).