Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left leg disability, specifically whether it is related to a right knee injury in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities are related to his in-service parachute jumps. The tinnitus is linked to military noise exposure, and bilateral hearing loss is associated with service.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, finding that there was no evidence linking it to service or any incident therein.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder was denied in 1990 due to the condition preexisting his military service. The claim was reopened and granted in January 2013, but an earlier effective date is denied as there were no new service department records.

The Veteran's right knee replacement due to degenerative osteoarthritis is rated at 60 percent effective October 1, 2004.,Prior to August 23, 2007, and from November 1, 2007, to October 23, 2013, the Veteran's left knee arthritis and replacement associated with right knee replacement is rated at 60 percent effective December 1, 2014.,Beginning October 1, 2004, entitlement to TDIU has been granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and new legal requirements.

The Veteran's appeal of cervical spine osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease was dismissed. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee conditions, including left and right knees with arthroscopy, meniscectomy, degenerative arthritis, and chondromalacia patellae.

The Veteran's service connection claims for polyarthritis of multiple joints and hepatitis C are granted. The claim for hepatitis C is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal request. The claim for polyarthritis of multiple joints is granted as it was documented in service during the applicable presumptive period.

The Board denied service connection for right elbow osteoarthritis as the evidence does not support a finding that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disability has been reopened, but the issue remains remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,For sinusitis, the Veteran is currently rated at 30 percent from May 2, 2014 through February 9, 2016. The claim remains remanded as further evidence and clarification are needed.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as the evidence does not show that he was unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities alone prior to September 25, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and a rating higher than 10 percent for left knee degenerative joint disease status post patellar tendon repair. The Veteran's current disabilities were found to be due to natural progression, overcompensation from his service-connected left knee disability, and civilian work rather than service.

The appeal for TDIU on or after December 6, 2017 has been dismissed as the Veteran was awarded special monthly compensation (SMC) at that date.

The Veteran's appeals for right knee, left hip, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral foot toe disabilities have been dismissed.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction has been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not related to any service-connected disability or to service in any other way, and thus denied service connection for the cause of his death.

The Veteran's conditions have worsened since his last VA examination in 2014, and additional evaluations are needed to determine appropriate ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and skin rash are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.,Specifically, the Veteran’s left wrist fracture with residual sprain does not show ankylosis. His lumbar spine disability is not manifested by ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine. The right knee and left knee degenerative arthritis do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion. The bilateral ankle degenerative joint disease are rated at 10% each.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis, lumbosacranal spine is granted. The claim for TDIU is also granted, effective March 1, 2013.