Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's initial disability rating for his lumbar spine disability was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to March 17, 2015. After that date, he received a 40% rating which is also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left hip osteoarthritis and total left hip replacement, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hip and right knee disabilities are not related to his active service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for osteoarthritis, thoracolumbar spine and a left leg disorder including numbness as secondary to the back condition have been denied. His hearing loss claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the representative indicating a desire to withdraw all issues related to TDIU prior to January 20, 2009 and evaluations for his knee and asthma.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to July 30, 2014.

The Veteran's low back condition, bilateral knee conditions, and muscle condition were not shown to be related to his period of honorable active duty service.,There is no evidence of a current disability for hypertension or an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD).

The Veteran's back disability, characterized by pain and limited motion, has been rated at 20 percent since March 27, 2013. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the effective date for service connection of PTSD could not be earlier than September 26, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disorder. The TDIU issue is inextricably intertwined and will be addressed after the rating assignment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected cervical spine disorder. The TDIU claim will also be deferred until this matter is resolved.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and bilateral shoulder peripheral neuropathy are not service-connected.,Service connection for the Veteran's bilateral pterygium is denied as there is no evidence of visual impairment, conjunctivitis, or scarring that would warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder condition, arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with L5/S1 facet disease (low back disability), and osteoarthritis of the left hip are related to his military service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an addendum medical opinion to address whether any currently diagnosed right and/or left knee disorder preexisted service or is related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection for his right knee, bilateral hearing loss, deviated septum, pes planus, or hammer toes.

Service connection for a right hand/wrist disability is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during or immediately following service.,Service connection for a left hand/wrist disability is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during or immediately following service.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during or immediately following service.

The Veteran's right knee has been rated at 60 percent since May 1, 2015 due to chronic residuals following total knee replacement. He also had a rating of 30 percent for recurrent subluxation and instability from August 1, 2009, until March 11, 2014, and 20 percent for dislocated cartilage with frequent episodes of locking and effusion since May 1, 2015.