Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disorder, left knee disorder, left foot disorder, OSA, and dermatitis are all granted as service-connected. The conditions were presumed to have been incurred in service due to exposure to herbicides.

The Board denied reopening the claim of service connection for a left knee disorder as no new and material evidence was submitted, despite additional VA medical records being received.

The Veteran's hyperlipidemia was denied as there is no evidence of a disability.,Effective dates for left hip, hand, and psychiatric disabilities were denied prior to the date of claims or when entitlement arose.

The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and sciatic radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been denied. The Veteran's conditions are rated based on their direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's appeal for purchasing a bed and chair under the Chapter 31 benefits was denied because the items were not deemed necessary to maintain independence in daily living.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent for each knee under Diagnostic Code 5260, due to limitation of flexion. The Board has remanded the issues regarding increased ratings.,The Veteran’s service-connected left shoulder arthritis is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder degenerative changes is a current disability and was incurred in service, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for gout, right shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, and GERD as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability and dismissed the claim as moot due to overlap with the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.,The Veteran was also remanded for further examination on his hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, sleep apnea, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess his right ankle disability with arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as he has one disability rated at 40 percent or more and sufficient additional disability to bring his combined rating to 70 percent or more due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination.

The Veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, degenerative arthritis of the knees, hypertension, obesity, IVDS with secondary obesity, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. The Board has granted a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability prior to September 14, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, including left ankle, knee, shoulder, low back, foot hallux valgus, metatarsalgia, IBS, and migraine headaches, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Veteran's reduced rating for left hip strain with limitation of abduction, adduction, and rotation is restored to 10 percent.,A 10 percent rating effective December 8, 2015, for limited flexion of the left knee is granted.,The claim of entitlement to service connection for a right hip condition is remanded.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is warranted due to worsening symptoms. The case is remanded for a new VA examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to a request for medical records from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and further evidentiary development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of various conditions, including bilateral knee disability, heart disability, inflammatory joint disability (gout), left shoulder disability, bilateral hip disability, and skin disability. The issues are related to direct service connection rather than presumptive exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury and that there is continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.