Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right ear hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus are all granted as service-connected.,As for the remaining conditions (asbestosis, prostate cancer, inguinal hernia, and urinary tract infection), they are remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the diabetes mellitus claim, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that any other condition was incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with degenerative arthritis and hammer toes of the left and right feet were evaluated, but her claims for increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was not granted any higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating for his spine disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records from SSA. The left knee strain claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the spine disability claim.

The Board has decided that a cervical spine disability is secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder and remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right knee disabilities and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs a VA examination to assess her current right knee disability severity, including any instability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right knee DJD is related to his service-connected left knee DJD and whether a preexisting right leg fracture aggravated during service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle and syrinx of the back have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran experienced continuous symptoms since service separation, which meets the criteria for presumptive service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(b).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as the additional evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The Veteran's PTSD claim is pending, his left shoulder osteoarthritis rating needs to be reconsidered with a VA examination, and his right hand fracture case requires additional evidence or clarification.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is granted a rating of 40 percent, but not higher, prior to April 10, 2018. A rating in excess of 40 percent for this condition from April 10, 2018 is denied. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis and degenerative joint disease are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his military service and he is granted service connection.,There is no evidence of left foot fungus beginning during active service or being related to an in-service injury. The claim for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's claims for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and left elbow triceps tendonitis with s/p healed fracture of the radial head were denied in June 1992. The effective dates for service connection are March 13, 2015, and July 14, 2016 respectively.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for limited range of motion on flexion and extension of the left knee was denied. The VA examinations showed that the Veteran’s range of motion did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and osteoarthritis of the right knee. The decision is based on a finding that there is at least an even balance of evidence regarding whether these disabilities are related to service.,There was no presumption or secondary service connection involved in this case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and an addendum medical opinion regarding the Veteran's lower back disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea and earlier effective date for TDIU. The issues are currently under further review.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is granted a 30 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The other issues are either denied or remanded.