Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C has been reopened, and the claim is granted. The claims for service connection for tinnitus, migraine headaches, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are all denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for her right shoulder disability and left rotator cuff tear with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis have been denied. The initial rating for the right shoulder disability remains at 20 percent, while a higher rating is not warranted. For the left shoulder disability after July 7, 2010, the Veteran's current 20 percent rating remains unchanged.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection on all issues except nonservice-connected pension, which was also withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the severity of the Veteran's cervical spine disability during flare-ups.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, low back disability, left knee chondromalacia with subluxation, right small finger degenerative arthritis, upper and mid dorsal spine limitation of extension, and residual surgical scar of the right knee, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with prior directives and for obtaining updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's left knee disability, including diagnoses of derangement, sprain, and pes anserine bursitis, is being evaluated by a clinician.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not service-connected and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition.,Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was not rated higher than 10 percent prior to May 17, 2018. From May 17, 2018 onwards, it warrants a rating of at least 40 percent.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board reinstated the Veteran's original 40% disability rating for lumbosacral strain and denied a higher rating, finding that the reduction from 40% to 10% was improper due to lack of improvement under ordinary conditions of life. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The appeal seeking to reopen a claim of service connection for a right knee condition is granted. Entitlement to an increased rating for the fracture of left third and fourth fingers is also granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for a chronic back disability is denied.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and remanded the issue of service connection for osteoarthritis of bilateral knees due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's polyarthritis associated with chronic Hepatitis C is rated at a 20 percent disability level, effective from the date of her claim in April 23, 2008. An earlier effective date prior to this date is denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not incurred or aggravated by her active military service. The evidence did not show an increase in disability during service and the arthritis is considered to be a natural progression of aging.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, including military hospital records and post-service Army medical records.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis and post-operative residuals of arthroscopies and partial meniscectomies are rated at 20 percent since June 1, 2007. A separate noncompensable rating is assigned for the surgical scar.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various knee and back disabilities, as well as bilateral tinnitus, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, tension headaches as secondary to a neck disorder, and cervical radiculopathy in both upper extremities as secondary to a neck disorder. The decision is based on direct service connection due to an injury sustained during active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's back disability was aggravated by his service-connected traumatic neuropathy. The VA is asked to provide an opinion on this issue.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back and knee disorders due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of both hips was not incurred in or aggravated during service and is not presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to herbicide agents. The respiratory disorder (chronic bronchitis) may be related to exposure to toxic chemicals, including herbicide agents, at McChord Air Force Base. Arteriosclerotic heart disease is also linked to exposure to toxic chemicals.,The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease was not incurred in or aggravated during service and is not presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to herbicide agents. The respiratory disorder (chronic bronchitis) may be related to exposure to toxic chemicals, including herbicide agents, at McChord Air Force Base.