Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claims for right and left testicle disorders, PTSD, depression, and bilateral knee disabilities are all granted. The decision also remands the Veteran's claim for a back disorder and skin disorder.

The Board has denied a compensable rating for paroxysmal tachycardia and remanded the cases of lumbar degenerative arthritis, post-traumatic stress disorder, and the effective date claim. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations and file a substantive appeal if he wishes to pursue these issues further.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and arthritis, and radiculopathy. The Veteran is also seeking an effective date prior to September 19, 2016, for various disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, increased rating for right knee arthritis, and compensable disability rating for left eye cataract were all denied. The decision did not address the service connection claim as it was decided on the merits.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher initial rating for obstructive sleep apnea was denied. The issues of service connection for right hallux limitus and bilateral metatarsalgia were remanded due to insufficient medical nexus opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for sleep apnea and low back disability, finding that the NOD with respect to the TDIU claim was untimely.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition was reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for degenerative arthritis and bulging discs of the lumbar spine, claimed as a back condition. The issue of service connection for traumatic brain injury (TBI) is remanded.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for left hip disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus based on evidence showing these conditions were first manifested prior to the date of the Veteran's claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and further examination, as well as a formal TDIU application.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and panic disorder, along with other disabilities, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 11, 2013. Effective May 22, 2012, the combined disability rating was sufficient for a TDIU. Effective August 23, 2018, his other service-connected disabilities are also rated at 60 percent or more.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has decided the case is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left and right ankles is related to his service-connected cold injuries in both feet, specifically addressing the aggravation element.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral foot disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, and sleep apnea due to potential service connection issues.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent since April 9, 2018. He also received a separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Service connection for left shoulder condition is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the current condition.,Service connection for right knee strain (right knee condition) is denied due to lack of continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection for obstructive sleep apnea claimed as secondary to PTSD is granted.

The Veteran's headaches are granted service connection and the Board finds it is at least as likely as not that his headaches are secondary to his cervical spine disability. The remaining issues of increased evaluations for osteoarthritis of the hands and cervical spine are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a right arm condition is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the current disability is not related to service.,The effective date for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is denied because the earliest communication prior to November 6, 2014 did not constitute a claim for this condition.,Service connection for bilateral feet disability and bilateral degenerative joint disease/arthritis of the knees secondary to service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is remanded due to inadequate etiology opinions in the June 2015 VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is remanded as the January 2015 VA Back Conditions Disability Benefits Questionnaire did not provide information on additional limitation of motion due to flare-ups or repeated use over time.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities have been denied. The VA has determined that the current 20 percent ratings adequately reflect the functional impairment attributable to these conditions.,The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes, which would warrant a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's initial increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a left shoulder disability due to insufficient medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of right hip and shoulder arthritis, varicose veins in both lower extremities, and kidney removal due to renal cell carcinoma do not meet the criteria for service connection under the applicable laws and regulations. The claims are being remanded for further development.