Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as lumbar disc herniation, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, and lumbar strain, is etiologically related to her service-connected right hip disability.

The Veteran's right rotator cuff tear and associated degenerative arthritis have been found to limit his shoulder abduction to 150 degrees, warranting a 20 percent disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and denied service connection for right knee, lumbar spine, and sinus disorders. The Veteran's in-service exposure to noise is conceded, but the evidence does not establish a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral leg disorder due to cold injury is being remanded as it was not adjudicated.,There are no chronic skin lesions, including of the scalp and neck. The Veteran's service records do not show any history or diagnosis of such conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for low back degenerative osteoarthritis and found that the Veteran's current diabetes is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected gouty arthritis. The issues of service connection for non-gouty arthritis, higher rating for gouty arthritis, SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance for the spouse, and TDIU are referred back to the AOJ.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities are not related to service, as there is no evidence of a disease or injury in service. The VA examiner found the current degenerative joint disease/osteoarthritis less likely than not due to parachute jumps during active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to unavailability of inpatient records from Brooke Army Medical Center and Carswell Air Force Base. The Veteran's claim for service connection remains on appeal.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for osteoarthritis, lupus, anticardiolipin syndrome, or rheumatoid arthritis. The Veteran's current disabilities are more likely related to his post-service work history and age.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, migraine headaches, left shoulder strain with glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, left elbow strain, right elbow strain, left wrist sprain, right wrist sprain, cervical spine strain, left ankle strain, right ankle strain, and left knee strain with arthritis. The Board found that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.,The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain with arthritis. The Board found that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to August 24, 2011.

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted an increased rating to 20 percent, effective from the date of the decision. Service connection for CTS of the right wrist as secondary to a service-connected condition was denied. The Veteran was awarded TDIU for the period prior to August 12, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action, including scheduling a videoconference hearing at either the Columbia or Atlanta RO based on the Veteran's preference.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to an event, injury, or disease in service and finds it at least as likely as not that his current right knee disability is due to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his left leg and right knee disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of recent legal precedent.

The Board has ordered additional examination and opinion to determine if the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his service, including a football injury in 1979. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA outpatient treatment records. A VA examination will also be scheduled to determine the nature and etiology of her bilateral hand, knee, and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of all pending claims before the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a Travel Board hearing at the local RO. The Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis, cervical spine disorder, and leg pain are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected left hip disability rendered him unemployable as of May 2002, and his effective date for the TDIU should have been May 2002. This would mean that he had continuously rated as totally disabled due to this condition for at least ten years prior to his death in November 2012, qualifying him for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be caused by in-service exposure to excessive and harmful noise, warranting service connection. The lumbar spine degenerative arthritis claim is remanded for further action.