Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claim for left sensorineural hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability. The Veteran's right sensorineural hearing loss is currently rated at zero percent.,The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the left knee (claimed as left knee aggravation) is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on remanded issues are currently pending and will be reconsidered by the RO. The remaining denied conditions include acquired absence of teeth, fatty liver, left great toe bunion with osteoarthritis and gout, right great toe bunion with osteoarthritis and gout, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), pain in all joints and muscles, bilateral hearing loss, right Achilles tendonitis with calcaneal spurs, bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), hernias, left knee osteoarthritis, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 20 percent, but the Board granted a higher rating to 40 percent based on functional limitations and pain.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability, back condition, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the ratings and effective date for his service-connected disabilities, leaving only the lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, and sacroiliac weakness.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 20 percent since July 2006, based on limitation of motion to shoulder level. The appeal is denied as the condition does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been denied. The Veteran is granted a higher rating of 20 percent for the left lower extremity radiculopathy as of October 24, 2018.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information in the examination report regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability. The issues of service connection for a back disability, left wrist disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability are all pending.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and service connection for various spine conditions, as well as secondary service connection for radiculopathy of the upper and lower extremities. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected left thumb ulnar collateral ligament sprain and osteoarthritis has been granted a compensable disability rating of 10 percent.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and arranging for a new examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability and any associated left lower extremity neurologic abnormalities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and right plantar fasciitis due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records, including VA treatment records from Little Rock, Arkansas, and LSU in Shreveport, Louisiana. An examination by a medical professional must be scheduled to determine the nature, severity, and etiology of the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis and right plantar fasciitis.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inaccurate analysis of the Veteran's service treatment records and inadequate examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine secondary to his bilateral knee disabilities, which he claims are related to a spinal anesthesia during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to June 7, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back, right and left knee, and bilateral foot disabilities. The claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The appeal was also remanded for further action on several issues.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical osteoarthritis, left hand degenerative disease and radiculopathy, and right hand degenerative disease and radiculopathy. The Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date for the grant of a 10% disability rating for service-connected left shoulder degenerative arthritis is denied. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his hearing loss and left shoulder disabilities is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for right hip strain, limitation of extension, limitation of flexion, and impairment of thigh due to unclear examination findings and lack of discussion regarding a relationship between osteoarthritis and a tear in the superior acetabular labrum.

The Veteran's right shoulder and left knee disabilities, as well as his sleep apnea and tinnitus, have been granted service connection.,Service connection for the right shoulder disability is based on a current diagnosis related to in-service injury. Service connection for the left knee disability is secondary to the service-connected right knee disability.