Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and shoulder conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis, instability, or other factors warranting a higher rating. The current 30 percent ratings are considered appropriate based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus has been granted with a 10% evaluation, and he is also entitled to separate evaluations of 10% each for his inguinal hernia and the scar from his inguinal hernia surgery. The Veteran's service connection claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae (scarring) has been granted with a 30% evaluation based on disfigurement of the face and head.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist, knee, and ankle disabilities were incurred in service. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was caused by service. Tinnitus was also found to be incurred in service. Service connection for lumbar spondylosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, finding that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that it is attributable to injury during active military service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and sciatica and a neuromuscular disability of the lower extremities, other than radiculopathy and sciatica, remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities are not related to service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, did not originate in service and is not related to any incident of service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from the April 2015 VA examiner regarding bedrest prescribed for her service-connected HNP with lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to notification from the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities have not met the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent. The claims for TDIU are also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral foot scars was denied, as the scars are superficial and not painful. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's left hip disability, diagnosed as mild osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right-sided sciatica of the lower extremity.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU was denied as there were no pending claims prior to October 1, 2012 and the criteria for a schedular TDIU had not been met.

The VA denied service connection for a right foot disorder, specifically degenerative arthritis of the right midfoot. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between the Appellant's current condition and his in-service injury.

The Board has found that there may be outstanding SSA records relevant to the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, and thus remanded for further development including seeking these records.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but concluded he was not unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board finds that there is no current disability for VA purposes due to bilateral hearing loss, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of her left fifth toe disorder and clarification from Dr. S.A. regarding his opinion on the relationship between her current condition and service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, disc disease, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are currently rated at 20 percent. The right middle finger disability is also rated at its maximum allowable rating for ankylosis or limitation of motion.