Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and the discontinuation of the rating for left knee osteoarthritis with effusion was not proper. The prior rating is restored.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a respiratory disorder, right knee disability, compensable evaluation for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with these other issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus the Board has granted his claim for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to his in-service injury and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has vacated the November 27, 2018 decision that granted an initial rating more than 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee disorder and a separate 10 percent rating for slight lateral instability. The issues are being remanded due to additional development needed.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete examination records and the need to assess functional impairment during flare-ups. The claims are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee injury and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis (back condition) are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that a new VA spine examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including any neurological impairments and where her pain begins on range of motion testing. The claim will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, lumbosacral spondylosis, lumbar spondylolisthesis, and lumbar canal stenosis are granted as service connected. The left lumbar radiculopathy with foot drop is also granted as secondary to his now service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for back disability, bilateral ankle disability, and tinnitus have been granted. The Board found that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities began during active service.

Service connection granted for left knee degenerative arthritis and headaches. Service connection denied for bilateral foot disorders.,The Veteran's service connection claims were decided on a mixed basis, with some issues being granted (left knee and headaches) and others not (bilateral foot disorders).

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for his service-connected foot disabilities are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and remanded the issue of service connection for right hand disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disability, finding that there was not enough evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection and increased ratings are remanded due to new evidence received since the last decision. The effective date of the hypertension award is also being remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine status post laminectomy. The Board found that there is at least an equipoise of evidence in favor of a relationship between the Veteran's current disability and his in-service injury, thus granting service connection.

An effective date of May 20, 2014 for a 50 percent disability rating for migraines is granted.,An effective date of May 20, 2014 for a 20 percent disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted. The periumbilical scar secondary to service-connected scar status post tubal litigation also receives an effective date of May 20, 2014.

The Veteran's low back disability is remanded for an adequate VA examination.,The Veteran's diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy are remanded due to insufficient development regarding in-service herbicide exposure.,The Veteran's right shoulder and left shoulder disabilities, as well as his claim of entitlement to a TDIU, are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is granted service connection, while his bilateral hearing loss appeal is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied. The Board found no evidence of an earlier claim or entitlement, and the preponderance of the evidence did not support any earlier effective date.