Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

Service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disorder is denied due to lack of chronic in-service symptoms and no evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service separation.,Service connection for hypertension, secondary to PTSD and presumed herbicide exposure, is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his knee and hip disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence for some issues and the need for further examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's left knee disability, including assessing functional limitations caused by pain and associated symptoms during flare-ups. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination as there were not sufficient compliance with previous instructions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hand injury and remanded the issues of service connection for his right knee condition, bilateral foot condition, left eye condition (iris sphincter tear), and left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's most recent VA examinations are outdated and remands for new evaluations to determine current disability levels.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities have been denied, with the exception of a separate compensable rating for right knee instability before July 17, 2017. The claim for an increased rating for right knee disability has also been denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine is at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for lower back disability and right ankle disability, increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities, and a TDIU claim. The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical records, provide VA examinations, and consider the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type 2 (to include as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine IVDS and DDD), and a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to August 9, 2017, and in excess of 40 percent from August 9, 2017, for lumbar spine IVDS and DDD. The AOJ is directed to obtain additional personnel records, an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's diabetes, a new examination to determine the severity of his lumbar spine disability, and an examination to determine whether he has bowel or bladder impairment.

The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent, and his combined disability rating remains at 60 percent. The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he does not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral tinnitus and atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease. The Veteran's tinnitus is not related to his military service, nor may it be presumed to be. His heart conditions are not related to his military service or within a year of discharge.,Service connection was also denied for degenerative arthritis of the right thumb and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar and cervical spines.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for synovitis, multiple joints; left knee osteoarthritis; and right knee osteoarthritis. The VA examiner found that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including DJD and osteoarthritis, is being remanded for further development to determine if it is related to service. The temporary total rating claim is also remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ankle degenerative arthritis, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for RSD, right lower extremity and right pelvic deficiency is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of RSD in the right lower extremity or a causal relationship between the Veteran's service-connected low back strain and his right hip arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right knee and left shoulder disabilities due to a failure to appear for VA examinations. The Veteran is required to report for scheduled examinations or provide notice of non-attendance.