Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's IBS and thoracic strain with lumbar spine osteoarthritis have been granted service connection as qualifying chronic disabilities, and a 10 percent disability rating has been assigned for the back condition.

The Board has determined that further clarification and evidence are needed regarding the Veteran's right great toe fracture and low back condition, as well as what specific conditions are service-connected.

The Board has denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, as well as hearing loss in the left ear and tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are all granted.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including reopening of service connection claims and obtaining additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS prior to December 15, 2018 and since that date was denied. The Board found no evidence supporting higher ratings based on the criteria provided.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed psychiatric disorder, right knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted as incurred in service. The Veteran's left wrist osteoarthritis is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40% rating effective July 22, 2014.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to March 2, 2019 is not entitled to a separate compensable rating.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy is not entitled to a separate compensable rating.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy from March 2, 2019 is denied an increased rating greater than 10%.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective August 31, 2017. The claim for a higher rating prior to this date has been denied.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral hands and other joints, finding no evidence that these conditions were incurred in or related to active service. The TDIU claim was granted as the appellant's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with spondylosis is characterized by limitation of flexion greater than 30 degrees but not 60 degrees. The Board finds that an increase rating above 20 percent is not warranted as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and associated lower extremity radiculopathy are rated at 20% effective June 5, 2017. A separate 20% rating is granted for each lower extremity radiculopathy condition as of November 13, 2017. Effective April 14, 2014, the Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Board has denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, other than PTSD, and remanded the case for further development regarding a cervical neck disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is not service-connected, and his issues regarding effective dates for migraines and right knee joint, osteoarthritis are remanded due to incomplete STRs.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle arthritis, bilateral hip arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and right hand/fingers degenerative arthritis as secondary to his service-connected inflammatory arthritis. The preponderance of evidence failed to establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is not service-connected, and his right knee degenerative arthritis has been rated at the maximum available rating. The Veteran's thoracolumbar DDD does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for DDD of the cervical spine was denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The Board found that the submitted medical records were not new and material as they did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, specifically Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood, is granted as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right knee strain with degenerative arthritis, limitation of flexion, is rated at 10 percent and denied an increased rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, depression, anxiety, memory loss, left knee disability, degenerative arthritis of the hands, right foot gouty arthritis, arthritis of the neck, sinus disability, respiratory disability (asthma and/or shortness of breath), acid reflux, and facial scar. The Board found that none of these claims were supported by evidence showing a direct link to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for a left knee disability and awarded service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis. The evidence received since the initial denial in February 2012 includes new and material evidence, as well as medical opinions linking the current condition to active duty service.