Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for stenosis of the lumbar spine, osteoarthritis of the left patellofemoral joint, right knee disability, cardiomyopathy, and bilateral hearing loss. The decision found that these conditions did not begin during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cause of death, finding that his death was not related to any service-connected disabilities or service events.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and a need for further examination. The Veteran's right knee disability is being reviewed, but service connection will be decided based on the merits of the claim rather than any presumption or secondary condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient information about the Veteran's back pain history and need for additional medical records. The claim will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's spinal stenosis, left hip arthritis, right hip arthritis, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis are all granted as secondary to his service-connected right leg length discrepancy. Tinnitus is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right foot disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and other issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the nature and severity of his spine degenerative arthritis, left shoulder strain, cervical spine disability, right foot degenerative arthritis, and acquired psychiatric condition. The VA also needs to obtain SSA records and update treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for service-connected right foot strain and back disabilities due to incomplete development of records, lack of compliance with prior remand directives, and need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected back disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining an expert medical opinion on whether the Veteran's knee disabilities are related to service or his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and lumbar spine, finding that there is a continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and clarification of opinions regarding service connection, rating, and TDIU. The Veteran's spine disability may be secondary to his left ankle disability, but this needs to be clarified. His major depressive disorder requires a new examination to determine if he has suicidal ideation and its impact on work capacity. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the rating and service connection issues.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service-connected, with the onset likely during active duty.,Service connection for a left shoulder disorder secondary to right shoulder strain is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration. The appellant's left knee disability, including his total knee arthroplasty, is being reviewed due to service connection claims. His lumbar spine degenerative arthritis case also requires additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from the June 2018 VA examiner regarding functional impairment during flare-ups or on repeated use.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right hip osteoarthritis was reopened and granted. The claim for left shoulder rotator cuff tear with degenerative changes of the acromioclavicular joint was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right elbow disability, including the history of fracture, is being remanded due to an inadequate VA examination. The Board needs to obtain a new medical examination and provide clarification on functional loss.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD, a higher rating for left ankle disability, and TDIU due to insufficient evidence in some of the previous decisions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for total unemployability due to service-connected left knee joint osteoarthritis, finding that his disability did not result in total unemployability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and eligibility for specially adapted housing due to incomplete information in his medical records. The Veteran is currently receiving a combined 100% disability rating, but does not meet the criteria for special home adaptation grant eligibility.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, finding that his current left knee osteoarthritis is less likely than not related to an in-service injury or event.