Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine remains at 20 percent, while a 10 percent rating is granted for right lower extremity radiculopathy beginning April 24, 2013. The Veteran's PTSD is rated as 50 percent disabling throughout the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a low back disorder and left knee disorder, finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions were incurred during or related to his military service.,For the TTR claim, the Board found that service connection had not been established for the left knee disorder, thus denying the claim.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, right knee disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and psychiatric disability (to include anxiety and PTSD).,There was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that resulted in the current conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis, as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus. The claims for these conditions are based on direct evidence of their onset during service.

The Veteran's claim for left knee condition was reopened, and they were granted service connection. Their PTSD with major depressive disorder was also granted a higher rating to 70 percent.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, finding that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his in-service blood pressure readings and that there was no evidence of continuous symptoms since separation from service.,The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability, concluding that the Veteran's private treatment records after service supported that his injury occurred post-service rather than during service.,The Board denied service connection for a thoracic spine disability, stating that the Veteran did not have a current disability related to his in-service duties and that there was no evidence of continuous symptoms since separation from service.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is remanded for further evaluation and evidence collection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis with fusion. The preponderance of evidence shows that his current condition is not causally related to any disease or injury in service.

The Veteran's application to reopen her claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied. Her initial rating for Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor and Hypertrophic Gastritis, as well as her ratings for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis at T12-L1 and left leg radiculopathy were all granted. The Veteran's PTSD and adjustment disorder with depressed and anxious mood received a 70 percent rating, but no higher.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, as there was no prior claim filed before July 14, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates were denied as his left knee conditions did not warrant higher ratings.,An effective date of March 1, 2016 was assigned for the assignment of a compensable rating for medial instability with osteoarthritis of the left knee joint.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum to a previous VA opinion regarding the Veteran's erectile dysfunction.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, but denied service connection for left hip osteoarthritis and left foot disorder.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including osteoarthritis, was caused by his active duty service and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right knee instability, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, and cerebral concussion disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on all issues except for his claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and whether new and material evidence has been presented to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD. The claims are being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for back condition was remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination. The effective date of service connection remains March 31, 2015.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding whether his right shoulder disability is related to service and/or aggravated by his left shoulder disability. The Veteran also needs a VA examination to assess the severity of his left shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the bilateral hands did not have onset in service, was not related to his service-connected gout, and is not otherwise related to service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral hands is denied.

The Veteran's initial rating for tinnitus has been dismissed. An initial compensable rating of 10% has been granted for left thumb degenerative arthritis with flexor tendinitis.,Service connection claims for asthma, depression and anxiety, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, hearing loss, and immunoglobulin A nephropathy have all been remanded.