Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left shoulder rotator cuff tear status post Mumford acromioplasty with osteoarthritis is rated at 20 percent since the onset of symptoms, effective from when his disability was first recognized.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination, and a new opinion is required regarding whether the Veteran's left knee condition is causally related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar myositis with herniated nucleus pulposus, degenerative arthritis, and lumbar strain is rated at 40 percent. The effective date for this rating is April 25, 2016.

The Veteran's right shoulder, ankle, knee, and hip disabilities are granted service connection. The Veteran is also remanded for further examination regarding his hips, ankles, and feet.

All appeals are dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 10, 2001.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a failure to schedule VA examinations as requested in previous remands. The issues on appeal are related to bilateral knee condition, left shoulder condition, low back condition, and diaphragm injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine condition, specifically her degenerative arthritis. The case will be reviewed after a VA clinician provides an opinion on the etiology of her lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for spinal stenosis with disc bulge and degenerative arthritis, status post fusion is granted. The issue of service connection for a nerve condition of the lower extremities, including bilateral foot drop, radiculopathy, and polyneuropathy, including as due to a back disability, is also granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss and a sleep disorder, to include sleep apnea. The claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine remains pending.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied.,Her left lower extremity radiculopathy is also rated at 20 percent.

The Board has ordered a remand to determine if the Veteran's current right knee osteoarthritis is related to service, specifically whether the symptoms present during service could have been indicative of future osteoarthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for reopening of his service connection claims for various conditions due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's hip disabilities have been rated at 30 percent since his claim for increase, effective July 2008. The Board found that the symptoms of pain and functional loss more closely approximate 'marked' hip disability under Diagnostic Code 5255.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his left knee degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a more comprehensive examination and X-ray imaging. The current VA examination findings are contradictory, and there is no recent medical records available.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to April 30, 2013 and a higher initial rating for his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including obstructive sleep apnea, clinical peripheral radiculopathy of the upper extremities, osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision also remanded several issues related to his right wrist disability.

The Veteran's back condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it did not result in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less, or favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. The current 20% disability rating remains valid.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic kidney disease, increased ratings for inactive left tibia osteomyelitis and residuals of left tibia and fibula fractures with marked knee disability, and an increase in rating for left ankle degenerative arthritis. The evidence did not support a finding of active or recurrent osteomyelitis of the left tibia within the applicable claim period.