Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's right knee disability ratings for limitation of flexion, extension, and instability are denied. The claim for a TDIU is granted from September 29, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development and medical opinions regarding service connection for various disabilities due to ionizing radiation exposure.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected, with the onset during active service.,Service connection for obesity claimed as weight gain due to service-connected disabilities is denied. Obesity itself is not a compensable disability for VA purposes.,Service connection for gout is remanded as there is insufficient evidence on record regarding its relationship to service-connected disabilities.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine is remanded as the November 2013 VA examination report did not address the relationship between this condition and the Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankles, knees, and pes planus.

The Board has determined that the January 2015 rating decision did not become final due to new and material evidence. The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations are remanded as additional VA examinations are needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left hip and bilateral knees, but denied service connection for a right hip disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, as well as consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's hypertension and degenerative arthritis of the knees were remanded for further evaluation as they did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has not been reopened, and the Veteran's right shoulder disorder and hernias claims have been reopened. The service connection for hernias is denied, while hypertension and diabetes mellitus are also denied.,The Veteran's right shoulder disorder and hernias claims have been reopened. Service connection for these conditions is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused the current condition.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is remanded, service connection for shingles is remanded, a disability rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD is remanded, and an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for tinea versicolor with ingrown toenail (claimed as skin rash and foot condition) is also remanded.,The Veteran's right shoulder disorder and OSA claims are remanded. The claim for service connection for shingles is also remanded.,A disability rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD is remanded, and an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for tinea versicolor with ingrown toenail (claimed as skin rash and foot condition) is also remanded.

The Veteran's tension headaches are now rated at 30 percent, effective November 9, 2017. His cervical spine condition remains rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a low back disability was denied. The rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with spondylolisthesis and intervertebral disc syndrome (cervical spine disability) prior to April 1, 2019, was also denied. However, the rating for radiculopathy of the left upper extremity was granted at a 30 percent level effective from April 1, 2019, and the rating for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity was granted at a 50 percent level effective from April 1, 2019.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and/or secure substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and lumbar spine disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within the presumptive period, and that the current conditions are not otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine osteoarthritis, and hernia condition as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral spine strain and bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees. The right leg disability, other than right knee osteoarthritis, is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for osteoarthritis and fatigue due to insufficient evidence in the record. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current sleep apnea and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are related to his military service.