Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's right knee, lumbar spine, and obstructive sleep apnea claims are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.,The Veteran's left foot disability claim is remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected left knee joint osteoarthritis, right knee joint osteoarthritis, and bilateral hearing loss. The TDIU claim is also on appeal due to its connection with the rating issues.

The Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis and impingement syndrome are rated at 30 percent. The Veteran’s degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine with degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent prior to August 24, 2017 and 40 percent thereafter. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve in both legs are each rated at 20 percent. Migraines are rated at 50 percent on an extraschedular basis. TDIU is dismissed.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis has been granted a 20% disability rating for limitation of flexion throughout the entire period on appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spondylosis, bilateral knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral hip osteoarthritis. The claim of an increased rating for migraine headaches associated with service-connected tinnitus is remanded. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's applications to reopen her claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left and right hips, and a TDIU. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The Veteran's service-connected obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected mental health and lumbar spine disabilities. From July 11, 2013, to February 20, 2014, the Veteran's depressive disorder was rated at 30 percent; from February 21, 2014, forward, it is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's dental condition is being reopened due to new evidence suggesting it may be related to in-service trauma. Service connection for the lower back and bilateral knees conditions remains denied, as does service connection for tinnitus.,Service connection has been reopened for a dental condition based on new evidence. The lower back and knee conditions are not considered incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee joint osteoarthritis, to include as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, is granted. However, the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disk disease cervical spine, to include as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, is remanded due to inadequate examination and opinion.,The Board finds that further development is required prior to adjudicating the Veteran’s service connection claim for degenerative disk disease cervical spine. The matter is REMANDED.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability and his service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a bilateral foot disability, which may be related to an in-service diagnosis of acute arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal for an extension of his temporary total disability rating based on convalescence due to service-connected right shoulder disability is denied as he does not meet the criteria under VA regulations.

The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a VA disability rating.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds no basis to grant a compensable rating.,The Veteran's lower back disability is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds no basis to grant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis with strain was characterized by pain, degenerative changes, limitation of flexion to 130 degrees, and limitation of extension to 0 degrees. The Board found that a rating in excess of 10 percent for the period prior to September 10, 2018, is not warranted.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, effective throughout the appeal period. The Board has also remanded for further development regarding her right shoulder strain.

The Board denied service connection for trigger finger of the right hand, finding that there was no evidence linking it to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the use of a low back brace, but VA determined that the damage to his shirts is not due to wear and tear caused by the brace. The decision was based on clinical evidence and guidance from VHA Handbook 1173.15.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected, and his right ankle disability is granted a 20% rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection and increased evaluations, including obtaining updated treatment records from Landstuhl Regional Medical Center and providing new VA examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar arthritis is rated at 20 percent prior to April 27, 2015. From that date forward, the claim for a higher rating remains denied.