Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2014

The Board finds that the reduction of the evaluation from 40% to 30% for right knee disability due to degenerative arthritis with loss of extension was proper. The Veteran's left knee disabilities are currently evaluated as 20%, and 10% respectively.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for an updated medical opinion regarding the Veteran's right hand disability, including whether it is related to service. The case will be returned to the AOJ after this development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability for VA compensation purposes and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for papillary thyroid cancer, status post thyroidectomy.,The Board has also granted service connection for dissecting ascending aorta as secondary to the previously service-connected papillary thyroid cancer. However, both cervical and lumbar spine osteoarthritis claims have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. No jurisdiction remains for the Board to adjudicate the merits of these claims.

All claims for increased ratings were denied by the Board in its decision dated August 19, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for his service-connected degenerative arthritis and spondylosis with disc space narrowing is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, effective June 28, 2012. His left foot condition remains at a noncompensable rating.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU) for further development. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar degenerative disc disease, thoracic scoliosis, and osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine, are being evaluated.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new evidence. The issue remains whether he should receive a higher evaluation for his service-connected lumbar spine osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder, left ulnar nerve, and cervical spine disabilities were denied. The initial rating for the left rotator cuff tendonitis was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. For the period prior to June 14, 2010, the Veteran's left ulnar neuropathy was also denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. As of June 14, 2010, the middle radicular group (left ulnar neuropathy and cervical radiculopathy) was granted an initial rating of 20 percent. The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the cervical spine was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's current back disability was not incurred or aggravated by service, and his hip pain is not related to a service-connected condition. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence does not support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis and tendonitis of the left thumb are currently evaluated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 5228. The preponderance of evidence shows that his disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience.,The Veteran is entitled to an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches.,Service connection has been granted for chronic fatigue syndrome as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis. The Veteran's skin disorder is also service connected as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis. Service connection has not been established for a respiratory disorder or sleep disturbance.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain and bilateral knee disabilities, including obtaining relevant medical records and verifying his periods of active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, which includes a letter from the Department of the Army verifying his involvement in a helicopter crash during active service. The VA examiner's opinion is inadequate as it relied on an inaccurate factual predicate.

The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, effective December 2, 2013. The Board has found that the current rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional medical records.