Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher than 20 percent evaluation based on limitation of motion to no more than 45 degrees in all directions.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for right hip disorder, sleep apnea, prostate cancer (residuals), migraine headaches, and various foot and knee disabilities. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is related to his service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for left knee strain have been denied as his disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's rating schedule.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip and right hip degenerative arthritis, but dismissed the claim for jungle rot, bilateral feet. The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60 percent due to urinary incontinence requiring absorbent materials changed more than four times per day.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability based on service-connected disabilities, as his service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantial gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral syndrome and right knee degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral syndrome. The claim for service connection for mouth ulcers is remanded, as well as the claim for low back strain with degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's low back condition is rated at 40 percent, and the Board has remanded his claims for left knee and right leg conditions due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder condition, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship between his current right shoulder disability and his service-connected right elbow disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain and for individual unemployability due to service-connected disability. The case is returned for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were dismissed.,Service connection was granted for right shoulder degenerative arthritis status post hemiarthroplasty with ankylosis, OSA, and a bilateral lower extremity disorder to include peripheral neuropathy and periodic limb movement/RLS.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the left knee and laxity of the left knee were granted, with a disability rating of 20 percent for each condition effective March 19, 2019.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. Service connection was granted for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, but denied for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence that he filed a formal or informal claim prior to July 19, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for her lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and service connection for an upper back disability or cervical spine disability, to include as secondary to the service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, are being remanded due to inadequate examinations and development needs.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding the current severity of his hip disabilities, as well as the nature and etiology of his claimed low back disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and radiculopathy.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher or separate ratings for his left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not more nearly approximate the degree required for higher or separate ratings.

The Veteran's TDIU claim for prior to October 31, 2018 was denied as his unemployability was not solely due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's sensorineural hearing loss of the left ear is granted as service-connected.,Right and left hip conditions, including osteoarthritis, are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues currently on appeal, including service connection and increased rating claims.