Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right foot was granted a 10% evaluation effective June 9, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for chronic fatigue syndrome, insomnia disorder, and sleep apnea is denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,Service connection for insomnia disorder is denied because the evidence does not establish a link between the condition and service. The Veteran’s insomnia is found to be related to his Gulf War exposure but not directly caused by it.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right hip and knee disabilities due to insufficient examinations, and requests that updated VA treatment records be obtained.

The Veteran's right knee instability and arthritis have been rated, but the issue of a higher rating for instability prior to January 6, 2017 is being remanded. A separate 20 percent rating has been granted for pain, locking, and effusion into the joint from August 5, 2006 to January 6, 2017.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for hypertension, gout, left knee disabilities, and headaches due to the need for additional development. The Veteran will be provided with VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's right foot surgery requiring convalescence beyond December 1, 2012 did not result in severe postoperative residuals or necessitate additional convalescence. The claim for an extension of the temporary total rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis is at least as likely as not due to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated as 10 percent disabling prior to November 15, 2011 and 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran contends that his disability warrants an initial evaluation in excess of these ratings. He also asserts that his bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are more severe than the current 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder osteoarthritis was granted, with the effective date being February 27, 2017. The decision also denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of a compensable rating for lumbar spine strain.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus and knee disabilities are not severe enough to require regular aid and attendance, so SMC based on this is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a right distal fracture with degenerative arthritis (DA) right ankle are rated at 20 percent effective May 19, 2014.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine did not begin during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee torn meniscus, left and right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion, and degenerative joint disease with limitation of flexion have been denied. The highest schedular rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes is already assigned.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, left hip, and left leg conditions are granted as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis. A 20% rating is assigned for each condition.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active military service and arthritis was not present within one year of separation.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 40% since April 19, 2018. The Board has remanded issues related to service connection for residuals of a whiplash injury and TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated as noncompensable prior to November 15, 2016 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter.,The Veteran's right knee disability was rated as noncompensable prior to November 15, 2016 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The Veteran also had a limitation of extension for the period beginning on November 18, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence and a need for further examination regarding whether the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to service.