Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's infertility is granted service connection. The right great toe onychomycosis, left thigh condition, and left hip degenerative arthritis are denied as not related to service. Service connection for upper dorsal scoliosis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and IVDS, and left leg neuropathy is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraines was granted effective February 2, 2017. The claim for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) eligibility was also granted effective November 28, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and cervical radiculopathy due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran's claim will be remanded for a VA examination to address the etiology of his cervical spine conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions are currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Formula.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development.,Additional evidence is needed to determine if the Veteran was exposed to herbicide agents during his service in Vietnam. The claim for erectile dysfunction will also be remanded for a VA examination to determine its relationship to prostate cancer.,The claims for prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding exposure to herbicide agents and the etiology of the erectile dysfunction.,A sleep study is needed, along with an addendum opinion from a clinician to address whether the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is related to his service. The examiner should also determine if the Veteran’s conditions are manifestations of a single condition or separate disorders.,The right shoulder claim will be remanded for an addendum opinion regarding its relationship to complaints of arm numbness and pain in service.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine the cause of the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and whether it was caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee and back disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for various knee, shoulder, cervical spine, and lumbar spine disorders. The Veteran's depressive disorder is also found to be related to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the lack of an adequate substantive appeal for each issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his lower back pain since service. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to in-service complaints or subsequent work-related injuries.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and a separate rating for symptomatic removal of the semilunar cartilage has been granted. The appeal for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle, low back, and knee disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected pes planus disability. As a result, these claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has denied service connection for Bell's Palsy, as well as for various knee conditions, arthritis, and sprain/strain injuries. The claims are also remanded for further development regarding other issues.

The Veteran's initial rating claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee PFS, and right knee PFS have been denied. The claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction (ED) is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), spinal stenosis, vertebral fracture, degenerative disc disease (DDD), facet arthropathy was dismissed. A 40 percent rating is granted for these conditions as of October 28, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of proper testing in the February 2017 VA examination, and new examinations are needed along with updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the severity of his back condition, sciatica, and muscle atrophy.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be at least as likely as not due to his active duty service. His bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are denied, but he was granted service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right knee condition or bilateral hearing loss, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.,Regarding the back condition, the Board finds that further examination and opinion are needed to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate opinion from a previous VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's preexisting left knee condition was clearly and unmistakably not aggravated by service. The case will be returned for an addendum opinion.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of a left ankle disability and remanded the issues regarding service connection for left foot disabilities due to lack of medical opinions on etiology.