Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since January 14, 2005.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left hip degenerative arthritis and lumbar strain, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a more recent VA examination and additional development of his claims, including for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions, including bilateral hip disorder, lumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, and left knee disorder, have been denied as secondary to his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for varicose veins.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability is related to his military service and he meets the criteria for service connection. The issues of increased evaluations for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and left ear hearing loss disability, as well as TDIU, are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of spinal surgery and left shoulder disability have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea, depression, recurrent dislocation of the right shoulder, and degenerative arthritis remains pending. The Board finds that VA medical opinions are necessary to decide those claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right ankle disabilities, as well as the TDIU claim, were denied by the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment since July 1, 2013.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left elbow disability and an initial noncompensable rating for residuals of right foot fracture. The issue of residuals of right foot fracture is remanded to allow for issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 12, 2005.

The Veteran's increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied.,Service connection was not granted for a cervical spine disorder as secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's dysthymic disorder to include OCD is rated at a 70 percent disability rating, which reflects significant occupational and social impairment.

The Veteran's sinusitis is rated at a maximum of 50 percent since January 11, 2006. The Veteran's migraines are currently rated at 30 percent and do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee), patellofemoral pain syndrome (left knee), major depressive disorder, hallux valgus of the feet, and irritable bowel syndrome are all rated at their maximum schedular ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, including lumbar spondylosis, lumbar myofascitis and degenerative arthritis of the spine, is related to service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and chronic vaginal infections. The conditions are found to be related to her military service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to inadequate medical opinions and need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected lumbosacral spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative changes and right ankle degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left hip is causally related to his in-service injury, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a left hamstring injury, and an emotional distress and depression (psychiatric disorder). The claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee was reopened but not granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evidentiary development due to the need for a new VA examination of his left ankle disability.