Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome is remanded due to recent worsening symptoms and need for updated VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right hip disabilities and right knee disability, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability (TDIU).

The Veteran's disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was reduced from 20% to noncompensable effective July 31, 2013.,The Veteran's disability rating for right knee medial collateral ligament tear with instability was reduced from 10% to noncompensable effective July 31, 2013.,The Veteran's disability rating for PTSD was reduced from 50% disabling to 30% disabling effective August 7, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU from April 7, 2017. The case is remanded for further action regarding the prior period and for extraschedular consideration of his IHD.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as secondary to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The initial rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy remains at 10 percent, but the Veteran is entitled to a higher rating due to his lumbar spondylosis and degenerative osteoarthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy are inextricably intertwined, necessitating a remand to obtain additional medical evidence and determine if the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a right foot disorder due to new and material evidence. The case is remanded for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion or additional VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for bilateral hearing loss and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis with rotator cuff tendinosis of the left shoulder is denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at noncompensable prior to July 18, 2017, and 30 percent thereafter. His initial evaluation for his left shoulder condition remains at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a left-hand fracture and clostridium difficile infection, finding no credible evidence of in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was also denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran’s lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's stroke residuals are granted as secondary to his service-connected CAD. Service connection for a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, is denied. A rating of 10 percent is granted for the right arm shell fragment wound residuals.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection and rating for various conditions, including left knee disorder to include degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, left Achilles tendon disorder, psychiatric disorder, hypertension, sleep disorder, headache disorder, and tinnitus. Additional relevant service treatment records have been received.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome with right lower extremity radiculopathy. The other claims were denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right knee osteoarthritis was dismissed because the Veteran limited his benefit sought to a temporary total disability rating for his recent surgery.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for her lumbar spine disability and TDIU due to worsening symptoms. A new VA examination is required to assess the current severity of her service-connected spine disability.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran did not sustain an injury during active duty training and that his current condition is not related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral flat foot, low back disability (spondylosis), and left knee disability (osteoarthritis) as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee and hip arthritis, hypertension, and OSA. The Veteran's left and right knees were not shown to have manifested within the first year after discharge from service, and there is no evidence of a chronic disease during service or within one year post-service. For his hips, the preponderance of evidence does not show that he had hip arthritis to a compensable degree within one year of separation. The Board also denied service connection for OSA as it was proximately due to his service-connected depression and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if the Veteran's hip osteoarthritis, right leg pain, heart disability, and hypertension are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the current disabilities are not related to in-service noise exposure or injury.