Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder and Raynaud's Syndrome, finding that the Veteran did not have these conditions during service or related to his military service. The claim of an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for Hepatitis C was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,For TDIU, the Board found that the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities (schizophrenia and Hepatitis C) did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

This case involves multiple claims for service connection, all denied. The Veteran contends that there was clear and unmistakable error in the September 1993 rating decisions denying his claims for cervical strain, right shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis, hypertension with stage 3 chronic kidney disease and renal insufficiency, and degenerative changes of lumbosacral spine. The Board found that there was no CUE in these decisions.,Reasoning: The Veteran's arguments were based on the interpretation of his service treatment records showing injuries sustained during service. However, the Board determined that the RO did not commit CUE as the correct facts were available and correctly applied the laws at the time.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from November 17, 2010, to December 12, 2012. The Board granted TDIU based on the combined impact of multiple joint disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disorder, low back disorder, left hip disorder, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and right ankle disorder. The evidence did not support the Veteran's claims of in-service injury or disease.,There is no credible evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right shoulder disabilities have resulted in a TDIU since July 15, 2004. The appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his shoulder conditions.

The Veteran's left ankle and right ankle disabilities have been granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent each, effective prior to October 23, 2017. The esophageal condition has been granted a maximum disability rating of 60 percent.,The Veteran’s service-connected conditions are currently rated as follows: left ankle - 20%, right ankle - 20%, and esophageal condition - 60%

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating higher than 10 percent for post-operative residuals of right shoulder dislocations with osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral spine disability is now rated at 40 percent effective June 18, 2014. Additionally, a separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the service-connected lumbar spine disability is granted from November 11, 2016.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for an addendum opinion regarding the onset of knee disorders during service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied as there is no evidence showing that it was incurred in or aggravated by service.,Service connection for PTSD is granted based on credible supporting evidence of an in-service stressor, despite conflicting medical opinions regarding current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD) with degenerative arthritis and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to new evidence and need for further examination.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his previously denied service connection for a low back disability, and has also granted service connection for this condition. The evidence shows that the Veteran experienced symptoms of back pain during military service in Vietnam, including jumping from helicopters at heights up to 10 feet above ground level while carrying heavy packs.

The Veteran's left ankle osteoarthritis is granted a 10% rating effective June 3, 2017. The Veteran's left forearm fracture is granted a 20% rating prior to April 27, 2017.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that it was incurred during his period of inactive duty training in 1995.

The Board has remanded seven issues on appeal, including service connection for various conditions. The Veteran's claim for skin condition is reopened due to new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination and requested a new VA examination. The Veteran's claim for increased rating of intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for cervical spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities due to lack of recent VA examinations and new evidence added to the file. The case will be returned for further action.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and opinions are needed to properly assess the Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU due to conflicting medical evidence and allegations of worsening symptoms.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine. The appeal regarding a right elbow disability is remanded due to inadequate medical examination.