Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including chronic low back pain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, and degenerative arthritis of the right knee, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA medical examiner to address whether the Veteran's bilateral ankle and shoulder disabilities are secondary to her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The Veteran is also seeking clarification on the status of her claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a hearing loss disability of the right ear, an acquired psychiatric disorder, left leg disability, and gastrointestinal disability are all denied as there is no current disability found in each case.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis and an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings of his lumbar spine disability has been denied. The VA determined that the current assigned ratings adequately reflect the severity of the disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his left rotator cuff tear and osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination records.

The Veteran's eye/vision disorder is not related to service, and his cervical spine disability and degenerative joint disease are not directly related to service.,Service connection for the Veteran's current diagnosed conditions has been denied.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of January 23, 2008 for the award of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The claim for a higher rating for lumbar osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine remains pending.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's cardiopulmonary arrest was caused or contributed substantially or materially to his death. The preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran wishes to withdraw his appeals for increased ratings of somatic symptom disorder, nasal disfigurement, deviated septum, left leg sciatica, and right leg sciatica. The claims for increased ratings for a back disability and bilateral knee osteoarthritis are REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his back and skin conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) and bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and major depressive disorder have been denied. The issue of reopening the claim for major depressive disorder has also been addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new examinations and consideration of her claims for increased disability ratings and service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability was not service-connected, and the Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for his low back disability from February 28, 2008 to July 2, 2010. The issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disorder has been granted, with a 40 percent evaluation effective August 24, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left hip, and right hip conditions are secondary to his service-connected left knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board denied all increased rating claims for the Veteran's service-connected conditions, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for arthritis and instability of the knees.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination with range of motion testing on weight-bearing.