Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's amputation of the left arm below the insertion of the deltoid is currently rated at 70 percent, and a higher rating is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lower back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the spine, lumbar disc degeneration, and spondylosis, is related to his in-service injury. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's current disability of degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and invertebral disc syndrome with associated bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy is related to his active duty service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include bipolar disorder, is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right knee disabilities due to inadequate range of motion testing in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, degenerative arthritis of the spine, anxiety and depression, arthritis of the knees, tinnitus, sinusitis with rhinitis, right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for osteoarthritis, heart disability, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, cerebral vascular accident, and dementia due to inextricably intertwined issues. The cause of death claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for VA examinations to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on his ability to work.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain recent medical records for his service-connected knee and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome on or after July 31, 2018, is denied. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on range of motion and neurological findings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been assigned an effective date of January 1, 2017, which is the day after his separation from active duty.,The Veteran has filed a claim for earlier effective dates for various service-connected conditions. The Board finds that these claims are denied as the earliest possible effective date allowed by law is January 1, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, including residuals of a left knee injury and/or meniscal tear, has been reopened. The Board finds that the VA medical opinion is inadequate and remands the case for a new examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee disabilities.

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The Board denied service connection for a chronic back disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's TBI claim is denied, and his cervical and lumbosacral spine disabilities are granted with effective dates of September 20, 2017. The headaches and left ankle sprain claims remain pending.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities caused his obesity, which is an intermediate step between a service-connected disability and obstructive sleep apnea. The case will be returned for further examination and analysis.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, as well as right ankle degenerative arthritis. The evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right knee OA, initial compensable rating for limitation of extension of the left knee, increase in disability rating for MDD with anxious distress, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran’s representative withdrawing all issues except for those related to coronary artery disease, TDIU, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including cervical spine and tibial stress fractures. The claims are pending for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including osteoarthritis in multiple joints and other conditions.