Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a right knee disability and whether it is related to service.

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities effective May 18, 2015. Prior to this date, the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye blindness is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The claim of entitlement to service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hip is denied as there is no evidence showing a direct relationship between the current disability and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's congenital deformity and transitional L6 with spondylolysis did not pre-exist service, and thus could not be granted service connection. The current diagnoses of lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis were also deemed to have occurred due to natural progression rather than in-service aggravation.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's status post medial-lateral cartilage residuals of the right knee, effective December 30, 2009. The Veteran also received an increase in his evaluation for osteoarthritis of the right knee to 10 percent from July 3, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment for which he would otherwise be qualified.

The Veteran's right and left ankle disabilities have been rated at 20 percent since April 17, 2017. The appeal is denied for ratings in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is not related to his service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's residuals of a right thumb fracture are currently rated as noncompensable.,The Veteran's left great toe osteoarthritis is manifested by pain and limits his ability to walk and stand, and more closely approximates a moderate foot injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right shoulder disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during his active duty or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran is not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 16, 1968 to October 19, 1994 due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the issues of increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and residuals of a fracture of the 5th metatarsal shaft of the right foot, and service connection for osteoarthritis of the right foot and flat feet. The RO must address these issues when adjudicating the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle osteoarthritis is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during or within one year after service. The claim for secondary service connection due to his right ankle condition was also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability was rated at 20 percent from September 27, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of a current disability for any claimed foot or sleep disorder, and the Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not cause his currently diagnosed fungal infection. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between any current foot condition and active service.

The Veteran's multiple disabilities, including his vision disorders and other health conditions, have resulted in him needing regular aid and attendance from another person since September 8, 2016. His income does not exceed the maximum annual pension rate for nonservice-connected disability pension.

The Board finds that the weight of the competent and probative evidence is against a finding that any right great toe disability or bilateral plantar calcaneal spurs are related to service. The Veteran's in-service treatment records do not show injuries to these areas, and his current disabilities are more likely due to post-service work activities.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for any time period. The evidence does not show ankylosis of the ankle or nonunion with loose motion requiring a brace.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability for VA purposes in either ear, and thus service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The January 2017 VA examination report could not provide an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral shoulder conditions due to significant limitations in range of motion and guarding during testing.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the aforementioned issues, and they are hereby dismissed.