Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of prior communication from the Veteran.

The Veteran's right lower extremity sciatica is granted an initial 40 percent evaluation, but no higher. The lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis, thoracic spine remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine disabilities, left achilles tendonitis, bilateral foot disabilities, sleep apnea, and GERD as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for a rating of 20 percent for chronic thoracolumbar strain with osteoarthritis prior to April 14, 2017 is dismissed as the issue has already been adjudicated in his increased rating claim.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied prior to August 3, 2016 and remanded for further evaluation of his TDIU claim from August 3, 2016 to August 16, 2018.

The Veteran's right knee torn meniscus and osteoarthritis are found to have started during service and continue since, granting service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left elbow osteoarthritis is service-connected, as it was incurred during his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for further examination. The issues are related to whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for various conditions.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine its relationship to his service-connected left knee replacement and any in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 4, 2018 and a separate rating of 10 percent for limitation of extension from December 4, 2012 to December 4, 2018. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating after December 4, 2018 was denied.,The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20 percent effective December 4, 2018 and the appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and migratory inflammatory polyarthritis is being remanded due to the submission of new medical evidence. The Board will need to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disabilities, as he contends that they are secondary to his service-connected fungal skin condition and furunculosis. The VA examinations did not address the question of aggravation.

The Veteran's initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left shoulders have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including fibromyalgia, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome, exceed the threshold for 'good health' as defined by VA standards. Therefore, his application for S-DVI is denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder separation and right shoulder arthritis have been granted higher ratings effective April 26, 2019.,A rating of 30 percent for the left shoulder is granted beginning September 30, 2009.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was rated at 10 percent from February 27, 2011 to July 2, 2013. The Board found that his disability met or approximated the criteria for a 10 percent rating during this period but denied any higher ratings due to lack of evidence showing specific functional limitations.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain with glenohumeral instability is rated at 30% effective May 2, 2008. The Veteran’s thoracic spine degenerative arthritis is rated at 10%, 20%, and 40% for different periods of time. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective January 1, 2014.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on his right elbow, hip, knee, and lumbar disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's right arm disability was denied service connection. However, his thoracolumbar DDD was granted a 40% rating.

This decision grants service connection for tinnitus and a painful left-hand stab wound dorsum scar, but denies service connection for bilateral hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, and foot disabilities. The Veteran's right hip disability is remanded for further review under the theory of secondary service connection.,reasoning for denial of service connection for bilateral hearing loss: There is no evidence of current hearing loss disability as defined by VA regulations.