Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder conditions, lumbar spine disability, right knee arthritis, right foot arthritis with hallux valgus, and GERD.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis in the Veteran's records.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss was not shown as chronic in service or within the one-year presumptive period, and he did not have a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss that began during active service. Therefore, his claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied.,For the period from July 25, 2017 to January 23, 2018, the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis manifested in painful motion but did not result in flexion limited to 45 degrees or less or extension limited to 5 degrees or more. Therefore, his claim for an increased rating is denied.,For the period beginning March 1, 2019, the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis was rated at 30 percent and a higher evaluation of 60 percent is not warranted unless there are residuals such as severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical examination, and further development is needed.

The Board has identified additional VA treatment records and VA Disability Questionnaires that were not previously considered. The Veteran was advised to have these reviewed by the AOJ before the Board makes a decision, but did not respond. Therefore, the case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is remanded due to the need for new evidence and an updated examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his bilateral knee conditions and asthma, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due solely to these conditions. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether he can perform such work.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left knee disability is aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for hypertension and left shoulder slap tear with degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the failure of the Veteran to report for scheduled VA examinations. The Board will ensure that the Veteran is provided with appropriate notice and scheduling for future examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding service connection for a left hip disability. The Veteran's tinnitus claim remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's claim for a right shoulder disability was denied in June 1994, and the effective date of service connection is set at January 6, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome with lumbar degenerative arthritis is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition and address any bladder complaints related to it.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine and peripheral neuropathy in both lower extremities were denied. The Veteran was granted a 20% rating for his lumbosacral spine condition prior to September 20, 2012, but not after that date. His claims for higher ratings for his bilateral lower extremity neuropathies were also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability, including instability and specific findings regarding pain on range of motion testing.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, as the evidence does not show limitation of flexion or extension that warrants a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis, bilateral knees, right hip condition, and left hip condition as these conditions are not found to be related to his service-connected residuals of a left foot injury.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to new evidence indicating a worsening of his left knee condition and the need for further examination. The ratings for his service-connected left knee disability are also being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was reopened, but the Board found that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection. The claims for increased ratings for right shoulder disability and bilateral plantar fasciitis were remanded due to new information indicating worsening.