Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied as there was no in-service injury or disease, and symptoms did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of separation from service.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection, increased evaluation, and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate or incomplete opinions in the prior VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was dismissed. The Board granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, but remanded the claims for an acquired psychiatric disability and a right shoulder/lumbar spine disabilities due to lack of medical evidence.

The Board dismissed the appeals because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist and hand traumatic arthritis, to include as secondary to diabetes, and left wrist degenerative arthritis, to include as secondary to diabetes. The claim for a separate compensable rating for diabetic nephropathy was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine with degenerative arthritis, finding that it was not incurred in or related to service.

Service connection for a right shoulder disability is granted. A disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right wrist osteoarthritis is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee disabilities and TDIU due to inadequate examination reports, lack of information on employment status, and potential need for additional testing.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's left knee disability and his service. The claim will be further developed with a new medical examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right shoulder impingement, chronic low back strain with myofascial pain, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis due to inadequate examinations that did not consider flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for a posthumous medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's chronic low back pain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or compensation. The appeals related to left hand, back, and lower extremity radiculopathy issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of TBI, cervical spine disability, or headaches. The issue of dizziness is remanded as no VA examiner has provided an opinion on its etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and an increased evaluation for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis. The Veteran was not granted service connection for cirrhosis, as there is no current diagnosis of the condition. For the period prior to October 24, 2011, a 10 percent rating was granted for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis; however, higher ratings were denied.

The Veteran's right total shoulder replacement surgery is not due to his service-connected conditions, and thus he does not meet the criteria for a temporary total disability evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hand osteoarthritis has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The appeal regarding an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to November 13, 2017 is denied. The appeal regarding a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss from November 13, 2017 onwards is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as there is no evidence that his February 2013 left knee surgery required at least one month of convalescence or that any medical professional directed him to restrict his post-surgical activities based on the procedure.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance was established on December 18, 2017, leading to the grant of an improved pension effective that date.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and right ankle degenerative arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee meniscus tear with degenerative arthritis.