Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board found that arthritis of the spine, mild scoliosis, and lumbar disc herniation were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Veteran's low back disability is considered a congenital defect and was not shown to be aggravated during service.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is rated based on the criteria in the rating schedule, and no extraschedular evaluation is warranted. The Board has granted a TDIU effective prior to April 20, 2015.

The Veteran's right hand disability is manifested by functional limitation and decreased range of motion in the right thumb, warranting a 50% rating under Diagnostic Code 5309-5220. The claim for an increased rating is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his right knee and left knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been raised by the record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis, bilateral hearing loss, hypertension (secondary to diabetes and/or PTSD), alcoholism (secondary to PTSD), joint pain (including fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis) (secondary to PTSD), gastrointestinal condition (secondary to PTSD), initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus, and initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for CAD have all been denied. The Veteran's service treatment records are silent for complaints or findings of hearing loss, asbestosis, hypertension, alcoholism, joint pain, gastrointestinal condition, diabetes mellitus, or CAD.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis was not shown during service or for years after service, and the weight of the competent, probative medical opinion evidence on the question of medical nexus to service weighs against his claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for cervical strain, a higher rating for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis, and TDIU as the Veteran withdrew her appeal. The issue of an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss is remanded.

The Veteran is unemployable due to her right knee disability for the entire appeal period.

The Board granted a 60 percent rating for the total right knee replacement due to chondromalacia and degenerative arthritis, effective April 21, 2015. A separate 10 percent rating was also granted for chondromalacia of the left knee prior to April 21, 2015, with a separate compensable rating for flexion since that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spondylosis with IVDS, radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and right knee instability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and secure substantially gainful employment prior to March 17, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since August 17, 2005.

The Veteran's back disability, including degenerative arthritis and a herniated disc at L5-S1, has been rated as 40 percent disabling since November 17, 2016.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disorders are not related to his in-service fall and thus denied service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the knees is proximately due to his service-connected ankle disorders, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's PTSD with MDD was rated at 30 percent prior to November 24, 2015. The rating for his right TKR remains at 10 percent from April 14, 2016. His tinea corporis with eczema is currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete examinations and potential aggravation of a congenital condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tremors of the left hand, tendonitis of the right leg, and an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic-lumbar spine. The Veteran was not granted any new or material evidence to reopen his previously denied PTSD claim.