Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU related to his service-connected lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for increased ratings, effective dates, and TDIU for his service-connected low back strain and lumbosacral degenerative arthritis. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and clarify the basis of the grant of Dependents' Education Assistance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and review of his claims, including the relationship between his right knee osteoarthritis and his service-connected right foot disability.

The Veteran's low back disability is service-connected and rated at the maximum available benefit. The appeal for increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and right inguinal hernia has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability and heart disability are service-connected, with no issues regarding rating or effective dates.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of recent treatment records.

The Veteran's prostate disorder was not related to service, and there is no evidence of osteoarthritis or peripheral neuropathy. The Board denied the claims for these conditions.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU rating effective June 1, 2016 due to his service-connected right hip disabilities.

The Board is requesting an addendum opinion to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral foot disabilities are related to his in-service ingrown toenail surgery. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on the relationship between his cold injury residuals and osteoarthritis of hands and feet, as well as peripheral neuropathy of hands and feet.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for left shoulder bicipital tendinitis was granted, effective July 4, 2009.,In December 2013, the Board remanded the case to grant an increased rating of 20 percent for his service-connected left shoulder condition.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current low back and right knee disorders are not service-connected as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or post-service continuity of symptoms. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right upper extremity disability is not related to his service-connected Hodgkin's disease and does not have a current diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis or subclavian vein occlusion. The preponderance of evidence indicates that the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected Hodgkin's disease.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (headaches and degenerative arthritis of the right wrist) are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision. For his left and right lower extremities, radiculopathy, he was granted initial ratings of 10 percent prior to November 15, 2016, and 40 percent since that date.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disorder was evaluated at a 30 percent rating from June 24, 2010, to September 30, 2015. The evidence does not support an increase in the disability rating during this period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including severe osteoarthritis of the right knee and instability of the right knee, preclude him from obtaining gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience. The Board grants a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for hepatitis C, acquired psychiatric disorder, eye condition, hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, and degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder. The Veteran's claims were denied as there was no evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.