Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they are less than total when considering his combined schedular rating and the fact that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and plantar fasciitis conditions are granted service connection, while the ratings for shin splints remain at 10 percent.

The Veteran's left knee instability is rated at 10 percent, effective March 22, 2016. A separate 20 percent rating for dislocation of semilunar cartilage was granted as of that date.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain and right knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has granted a TDIU. The claims for higher ratings remain pending.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD due to MST, a bilateral elbow disorder, and a bilateral hand disorder. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable disability rating for scar of the lower back, residual of laminectomy is denied.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right eye retinal detachment with diplopia, bilateral iritis and status post bilateral cataract extraction are remanded. The Veteran must provide VA with any private treatment records not already in the file.,The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, status post laminectomy, ankylosing spondylitis, and bilateral sacroiliac arthritis is remanded. The Veteran must provide VA with any private treatment records not already in the file.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS is granted a 60 percent rating effective June 27, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder and left elbow disorders, finding that the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and bilateral hearing loss due to additional development being required. The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is denied as there is no evidence of chronicity during or within presumptive periods after service, and continuity of symptomatology since separation from service is not established. The claim for bilateral hearing loss remains remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, necessitating the use of a cane or wheelchair as a normal mode of locomotion. The Board has granted eligibility for specially adapted housing based on this finding.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination and incomplete record. The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his cervical spine and right upper extremity radiculopathy are now pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions, finding that he does not require regular aid and attendance or is housebound.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right ankle osteoarthritis with tendonitis and sprain, but remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for lumbosacral strain and degenerative disc disease (DDD).

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent from February 27, 2015, to July 30, 2015. From July 31, 2015, to October 23, 2017, the rating was increased to 20 percent for pain, locking, and effusion; subluxation or instability requiring a brace; and limitation of motion during flare-ups.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between the disabilities and active military service.,There is no medical or other competent evidence linking the Veteran's current cervical spine disability, upper extremity radiculopathies, to his active military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of left elbow reconstruction and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a direct link between his in-service injury and current disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and left eye disability due to incomplete development of records, including in-patient treatment records from Tripler Army Medical Center. The VA is instructed to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing the Veteran's reported in-service injuries and current diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from obtaining and maintaining employment consistent with his occupational experience, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to obtain private treatment records and arrange for a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability.

The Board has remanded the cases due to new evidence being added since the last decision, and the Veteran did not respond within the required timeframe. The AOJ will review the new evidence and issue a decision.