Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete development of the record, including obtaining VA treatment records and employment information. The Veteran will also be scheduled for an examination to assess the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right hip disability is denied as there was no chronic condition shown in service or within the presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology has not been established.,Service connection for varicose veins cannot be granted as a current diagnosis could not be found. The examiner noted that it may be related to cold weather exposure during service.,The Veteran's bilateral foot condition is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding its etiology, with the most recent VA examination suggesting neuropathy rather than cold injury residuals.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for lumbar spine surgical scar associated with degenerative arthritis of the spine and herniated disc, status post spinal fusion is denied. The claims for service connection for right foot disorder and right ankle disorder are remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease have been granted a 20 percent rating prior to November 14, 2014. A higher rating is denied for the entire appeal period. The right ankle disability has not met the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has ordered a remand for additional development due to the need for another VA examination of the Veteran's right knee disorder, as there is evidence that his condition may have worsened since the last examination.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder disability, sleep apnea, right ankle degenerative joint disease, bilateral degenerative joint disease of the hands, irritable bowel syndrome, and erectile dysfunction (secondary to PTSD) have been reopened. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen these claims.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his low back disability, finding that it began in and has progressed since service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on his lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further evaluation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left knee patellar tendonitis, right knee patellar tendonitis, right knee instability, left knee instability, and right knee meniscal tear have been granted increased ratings of 20 percent each. The Veteran's status post left clavicle fracture (left shoulder disability) has also been granted an increased rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent, but a separate 20 percent rating for right knee lateral instability as of January 7, 2021, has been granted.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, including the residuals of a fracture and degenerative arthritis, was rated at 20 percent prior to October 19, 2015. The Board found that the evidence supported a finding of marked limitation of motion in the left ankle.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, as well as his rating for hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Barrett's esophagus, have been denied. The Veteran's service connection claim for right thigh nerve damage has been remanded. Issues related to special monthly compensation based on having disabilities rated as totally disabling and a separate disability rated at 60 percent or higher due to hypothyroidism have also been referred.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, right foot neuropathy and dystrophic toenails, left foot neuropathy and dystrophic toenails, and lower back disability have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.,An effective date prior to October 25, 2018 has not been granted for the grant of service connection for tinnitus and left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis prior to schedular eligibility for the period prior to July 26, 2010 is denied. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to their combined evaluation of 30 percent. The appeal for secondary service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and low back condition are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and disc disease, left knee arthritis with history of meniscal tear, and right knee arthritis with history of meniscal tear due to new evidence added to his electronic claims file.