Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

Service connection for left knee arthritis has been granted based on new and material evidence. Service connection for right knee arthritis, as secondary to the service-connected left knee arthritis, is being remanded.,Service connection for left lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, as secondary to the service-connected left knee arthritis, is being remanded. Service connection for right lower extremity peripheral vascular disease, as secondary to the service-connected left knee arthritis, is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to service connection for a lumbar spine disorder.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not meet or approximate the criteria for a 30 percent rating based on limited motion of the arm to 25 degrees from side.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates have been denied.,Service connection has not been granted for a sleep disorder, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, or headaches.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a 40% rating for lumbar strain with osteoarthritis is denied. The Board found that the increase in disability did not occur within one year prior to July 1, 2017.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, diagnosed as glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, is related to his military service. As a result, the claim for service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of her left shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and spinal stenosis due to inadequate examination and lack of consideration of all relevant evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee chondromalacia and denied service connection for a cervical spine disability. The decision in favor of the Veteran's claim is based on evidence showing that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for left and right knee disabilities have been denied, but separate 10 percent ratings are granted for instability of each knee.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for left and right knee disabilities is denied, as the evidence does not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service. Claims for sleep disturbances, insomnia, depression, and anxiety are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal of the recoupment of disability severance pay from VA disability compensation, finding that the law requires such recoupment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the right knee is denied as his range of motion does not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to knee braces is granted as the evidence shows that he used these braces in 2017, causing damage to his pants. The Board found sufficient evidence of wear and tear on his clothes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative arthritis of C3-4, left ear hearing loss, and left shoulder subacromial bursitis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome, and lumbar radiculopathy are granted service connection. Cold injury residuals are denied as there is no evidence of current disability related to the in-service cold injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for spinal stenosis and major depressive disorder were denied as new and material evidence was not submitted. The claims of increased ratings for patellofemoral syndrome and osteoarthritis of the right and left knees affecting limitation of flexion are also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations due to insufficient evidence from previous examinations. The Veteran needs to undergo new VA examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbar radiculopathy, degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, and osteoarthritis, left hip.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50%.,The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30%, and no higher, due to his condition not meeting criteria for a higher rating based on FEV-1 or use of systemic corticosteroids.,The Veteran's IVDS with degenerative arthritis is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 20%.

The Veteran's right hand disability, including osteoarthritis and ganglion cysts, is granted as service connected. The Veteran also receives a TDIU rating due to his PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations. The issues of service connection and exposure basis have not been addressed.