Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is currently in remand status due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected left hallux valgus with first MTP joint osteoarthritis and right hallux valgus with degenerative changes have been rated at the maximum allowable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5280, which is a 10 percent rating. The Board finds no legal basis for an increased evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist condition, post-carpal tunnel release surgery, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as his symptoms do not warrant more than mild incomplete paralysis of the median nerve.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including arthropathy, strain and osteoarthritis, are related to service. The Veteran also has a current acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.,Prior to July 13, 2016, the Veteran had Level IV hearing acuity in both ears, warranting a 10% rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to November 10, 2016 and increased to 40 percent thereafter. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left foot disability and anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of cold injury to the feet, including osteoarthritis and neuropathy, was granted. The TDIU issue is pending as it has not been perfected with a substantive appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected thoracolumbar spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and prostatitis/epididymitis disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's military service for his left shoulder, sleep apnea, or arthritis other than osteoarthritis of the left shoulder. The claims for right shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities are not addressed as they were not part of the appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right elbow disorder is not related to service and denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's sporadic seizures are related to active duty service, but there is no evidence linking his current shoulder disabilities to service.

The Veteran's mood disorder is currently rated at 70 percent, effective from August 23, 2016. He also has other service-connected disabilities that meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU and he meets the statutory requirements for SMC based on housebound status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left elbow disability is not a residual of his service-connected bullet wound to the left upper arm and was not caused or aggravated by the service-connected residuals. Therefore, he is not entitled to a separate compensable rating for limitation of motion of the left elbow.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected pes planus caused his current arthritis in his ankles, knees, right hip, and low back. The neck disability is not considered secondary to the service-connected pes planus.

The case is being remanded for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining new VA examinations and completing the necessary review of the Veteran's claims file.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability and address his complaints of buckling. The case will be reviewed again after this development.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities, including pes planus and other conditions such as metatarsalgia, hallux valgus, ingrown toenails, tinea pedis, tibial sesamoiditis, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (PTTD), and osteoarthritis, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Veteran's preexisting pes planus was found to have been permanently aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the acetabulum and hip joints is service-connected, as it began during her active duty.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine on an extraschedular basis was denied by the Director. The Board agreed with this decision, finding that the symptomatology associated with the Veteran's lumbar spine disability had been contemplated by the regular rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are adequately contemplated by the current 40 percent schedular rating, thus an extraschedular rating is not warranted.