Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his left shoulder disability is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.

The Board has found that remand is necessary for the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for osteoarthritis of his left and right knees with limitation of flexion and extension due to lack of a statement of the case (SOC) addressing these issues, as well as for updated medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a determination on whether the Veteran's current back disability is related to service. The issue of hypertension remains in dispute.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on several service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Veteran's alcohol dependence and polysubstance abuse are not service-connected as they resulted from his own willful misconduct.,His bilateral hip arthritis is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of discharge and there is no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent, effective November 2013. A separate rating of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy is also granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals regarding entitlement to service connection for a right eye disability and an initial disability rating higher than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's effective dates for the awards of service connection for cervical spine strain and cervical spine degenerative joint with residual spinal fusion scar, as well as thoracolumbar spine strain (previously rated as intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis), are denied as they fall on or after November 8, 2008.,The Veteran's initial evaluations for his service-connected cervical and thoracolumbar spine disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder is reopened and granted. A 10 percent rating is assigned for the right great toe fracture.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are inadequate, and thus remanded to obtain further evaluations.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for increased ratings on multiple conditions, including left shoulder bursitis, thoracolumbar strain, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, hip osteoarthritis, knee patellofemoral syndrome (both knees), ankle post-operative changes, sinusitis, and hiatal hernia with GERD.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent, and no higher. The rating is based on forward flexion limited to 30 degrees.,The Veteran’s degenerative arthritis of the right hand and left hand are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, loss of vision, and swelling of the left face. The claim for polyarthritis of the bilateral lower extremities is not supported by evidence showing a link to military service or an undiagnosed illness. Service connection for hyperinsomnia with sleep apnea was not addressed as it is attributed to a known diagnosed disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disorders due to a lack of VA examination and outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain with degenerative spondylosis was denied as not caused by his in-service motor vehicle accident.,An increased rating more than 10 percent from January 26, 2015 and continuing thereafter for the lumbosacral spine disorder was denied due to limited range of motion.

The Veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus were not granted service connection. The Veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis was denied as there was no evidence of a chronic disease in service or within the applicable presumptive period. Bilateral hearing loss disability was granted as it met the criteria for current disability and continuity of symptoms since service. Tinnitus was denied due to lack of in-service complaints and delayed onset.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, bilateral shoulder disability, left hip degenerative arthritis, right hand and left hand degenerative arthritis, right knee derangement and instability, and left knee derangement and instability. The reasons given were that there was no in-service injury or disease linked to these conditions, and the Veteran did not serve in Southwest Asia during the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected clavicle fracture, degenerative arthritis, right shoulder has been remanded due to the addition of new medical evidence. The RO must consider this evidence and reevaluate the claim before making a decision.

The Board found no evidence to support a connection between the Veteran's right elbow disability and his military service, including an in-service injury. The Veteran's current condition is attributed to age-related degeneration rather than service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis and denied the remaining claims, including those for shoulder disability, knee disability, ankle disability, heart condition, diabetes mellitus type II, cervical spine disability, vertigo, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, diabetic neuropathy of the upper extremities, and diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities.