Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need for further development. The issues include osteoarthritis of the legs, spinal stenosis, and peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and a right wrist disability, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities are related to service.,Both conditions were diagnosed post-service, but the Veteran provided competent and credible lay evidence of in-service injuries and continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, left knee disability, right knee disability, bilateral eye disability, and lumbar spine disability are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions in the October 2016 VA examination.,The Board deems the Veteran’s request for a Travel Board hearing withdrawn.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand and fingers degenerative arthritis, hypertension (claimed as high blood pressure), headaches, a flu-like condition, bronchitis, a left knee and leg condition, and a right knee condition.

The Veteran's claim for a low back condition has been reopened and remanded. The claims for muscle pain, joint pain, bilateral ankle pain, bilateral knee pain, and chronic fatigue syndrome have also been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected spine disability has resulted in forward flexion limited to 30 degrees. The Board granted a rating of 40 percent for the service-connected spine disability, but denied any higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is at least as likely as not related to a right knee injury during Reserve service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

Prior to November 22, 2017, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.,Since November 22, 2017, the Veteran has a combined rating of 80 percent for his service-connected disabilities and is rated at 100 percent for kidney cancer. His TDIU claim is denied as he can secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address instability during flare-ups. The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are being reviewed for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee instability and osteoarthritis were denied as the evidence did not show findings consistent with higher disability evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition, finding that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the spine was not incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder and right ankle disability have been granted service connection, with a 20 percent rating for the right ankle. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and treatment records, requiring further evaluation of the Veteran's low back strain with osteoarthritis of the facet joints.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The limitation of extension associated with the arthritis also does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and right knee degenerative changes were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records, including VA treatment notes from Palo Alto and Martinez. The Board will consider whether her right knee disability is related to her left knee disability and if her varicose veins are secondary to her left leg varicose veins.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, and therefore grants service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU and SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance and/or housebound status due to ongoing medical conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to July 18, 2013 for tinnitus was denied as there were no earlier claims filed.,Claims for cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, and left upper extremity radiculopathy were dismissed due to lack of appeal within one year of the assigned effective dates.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 7, 2012 for bilateral knee osteoarthritis was also dismissed as there were no earlier claims filed.,Claims for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), pseudofolliculitis barbae, left shoulder disability, and left arm disability are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar spine disability is remanded as there may be outstanding VA treatment records that have not been associated with his claims file.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for cervical spine disability is also remanded, and a psychiatric examination is needed to determine the relationship between current psychiatric disorders and service.