Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, eye disorder, and back disorder due to inadequate VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for spinal stenosis, degenerative arthritis of the spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome (previously denied as disc herniation at L5-S1 with mild canal stenosis), finding that these conditions began during active service.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for loss of balance, poor vision, sinusitis, degenerative arthritis of the right hand, right hand nerve damage, hypertension, and sleep apnea due to PTSD have been granted. His claim for an increased rating for PTSD has also been granted.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability with glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis is rated at 30 percent, but no higher. The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities due to insufficient evidence of current functional impairment.

The Veteran's gout is granted as secondary to service-connected renal disease.,Degenerative arthritis/osteoarthritis/DJD of the cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, and hips are granted as secondary to service-connected osteopenia.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, right leg disability, left leg disability, and right ankle disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his period of active duty.,Service connection was denied as the evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant, and no further action can be taken on this matter.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine has not resulted in forward flexion to less than 30 degrees or favorable ankylosis, so a higher rating is denied.,The Veteran's migraine headaches have been restored from noncompensable to 50% effective April 23, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for a right-hand skin condition, right and left lower extremity varicose veins, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and lumbosacral strain.,There is no evidence of current diagnoses or symptoms related to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the bilateral glenohumeral joints was incurred during active duty, and service connection for this disability is therefore granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual employability (TDIU).

The Veteran's maculopathy of the left eye, lower back disability, and bilateral ankle disability are all granted as service-connected. The Board found that there was sufficient evidence to support these claims based on in-service injuries or conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's right knee disability. A new examination is required to comply with the Board’s previous remand directives.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU due to service-connected right knee disabilities, including osteoarthritis, instability, and residual scars. The Veteran's right knee disabilities have prevented him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral shoulder disability and increased ratings for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy due to deficiencies in compliance with previous remand directives.

The claim for service connection for COPD is reopened and granted. The appeal is also granted to the extent of remanding issues related to bilateral knee disorders, left shoulder disorder, and cervical spine disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence of arthritis during or within one year after service and concluding that his current degenerative arthritis is more likely due to aging and post-service occupations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to conflicting evidence on whether the Veteran's joint problems preexisted his service. The case will be returned for an examination and additional development.