Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for scars, bilateral great toes, status post bilateral nail excision is denied.,The Veteran's initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bell’s palsy with right facial paralysis, right eye ptosis and loss of right nasolabial fold is denied.,The Veteran's initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis, right shoulder is remanded.,The Veteran's initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, finding that the Veteran's continuous post-service complaints of back pain since service supports his claim. The decision also refers other issues to the AOJ.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's claim of degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The remaining issues are remanded for further development and examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete information about his self-employment and the need for updated VA treatment records. Additionally, a VA examination is required to assess the functional impairment caused by his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease with compression fracture, left knee strain, tinnitus, residuals of surgical scar, right lower abdomen, and residuals of surgical scar, right perineum.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the low back, left knee, and left ankle due to inadequate VA examinations. The case is being returned to the Board for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA orthopedic examination to address the current severity of the Veteran's right foot disability and to assess the nature and etiology of his left knee and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected lower back strain with degenerative arthritis has not met the criteria for a higher rating, as it does not result in ankylosis or significant limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and osteoarthritis of the right knee, hypertension, and hemorrhoids due to incomplete medical records and lack of nexus opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left shoulder condition. The claim will be reviewed again with a new examination or opinion.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to outstanding VA treatment records and the Veteran's testimony of increased severity since a previous examination. The case is being remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or event that caused his current degenerative arthritis of the spine. The condition did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of discharge from service.

The Veteran's residuals of a bilateral hand and feet cold injury have been granted service connection. The issues of bilateral foot disability and right shoulder disorder are remanded for further review.

The Board has denied service connection for sleep apnea, spinal condition (cervical and lumbar degenerative disease), right shoulder disorder, hypertension, and skin disorder (psoriasis).,The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity (Thoracic Outlet Syndrome) are denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or IVDS. The current ratings adequately reflect the severity of the disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine was reopened due to new evidence submitted since the final denial in April 2012. The Board found that this evidence related to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the underlying service connection claims.,The Veteran's back condition is not shown by the probative evidence to have originated during military service or for many years after the conclusion of his service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of surgical removal of a spinal cord tumor, including incomplete paraplegia of the lower extremities, finding that the current back disabilities are not related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disorder and degenerative osteoarthritis, lumbar spine. The cases are now remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and right ear hearing loss, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and residuals of a chemical burn to the right hand have been dismissed. Service connection has been granted for left pectoralis major muscle injury, right pectoralis major muscle injury, left shoulder osteoarthritis and tendinitis (secondary), and right shoulder SLAP tear (secondary).