Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

This decision denies service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The Veteran's sleep disorder, PTSD, degenerative changes L5-S1 spine, bilateral lower extremity sciaticus, right total knee replacement, left knee degenerative arthritis, and TDIU are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and new evidence not being considered properly.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his Social Security Administration records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder was reopened and granted, while his left knee condition remains in service-connected status.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his stroke residuals and diabetes, necessitate regular aid and attendance due to his inability to perform daily activities.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% prior to December 22, 2017 and at 70% thereafter. The appeal for higher ratings remains pending as the issues have been remanded.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis due to changes in his symptoms and the time since his last examination.

The Veteran's heart condition, vision loss, back conditions, lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spinal stenosis, right hip condition, kidney failure, arthritis, fibromyalgia, shoulder pain, varicose veins, carpal tunnel syndrome, and restless leg syndrome are all related to service exposure to hazardous chemicals. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination for each issue.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, and mild recurrent major depressive disorder, with moderate generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder are all related to service exposure to hazardous chemicals. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination for each issue.

The Veteran's claims for compensable initial ratings for various service-connected disabilities have been denied. The Board has remanded several of the issues for further evaluation, including those related to arthritis and wrist conditions.

The Veteran's depression is not a separate disability from his PTSD. The right radial nerve paralysis warrants a 50% rating since November 14, 2016. The Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left and right ankle disorders, as well as his hypertension, are not service-connected.,His skin disorder is also not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and patellofemoral arthritis, is proximately due to his service-connected right knee disability. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between the current condition and service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of left shoulder fracture, right shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Board granted service connection for fibromyalgia and obstructive sleep apnea.

The claims to reopen service connection for degenerative changes and muscle spasms, right knee condition, and mental condition (claimed as parasomnia) are granted. The Veteran's conditions are related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic thoracolumbar strain, thoracogenic scoliosis and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease (claimed as lumbar back pain) and a skin condition. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected neck disability has been withdrawn by the appellant.

Your appeals have been dismissed as you are satisfied with the recent decision granting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further evaluation due to concerns about the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the left and right elbows.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and opinion regarding service connection for right knee and leg disabilities, as well as TDIU.