Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, claimed as a nervous condition, depression, and anxiety is dismissed. The issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected tinnitus has been withdrawn. The claim of service connection for a disability claimed as sleep and dream disturbance is reopened. The issues of entitlement to ratings in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and osteoarthritis, right ear hearing loss, and lumbar strain myositis, central herniated nucleus pulposus at L4/L5 are remanded. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected right little finger disability and bilateral hearing loss are not rated as compensable. The Board has remanded these issues for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and remanded the right knee issue due to insufficient medical opinions. The Veteran's current conditions are a lumbar spine disability, right knee strain, tendonitis/tendinosis, and joint osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine, status post herniated disc with lumbar fusion is denied. A TDIU was granted effective from January 9, 2019 (exclusive of a period of total schedular rating from December 01, 2015 to February 29, 2016).

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding no competent evidence linking his disability to his in-service exposure or any other basis.

The Veteran's low back disability was previously rated at 20 percent prior to June 20, 2016 and is now remanded for further evaluation as it has worsened since that date.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent for painful noncompensable limitation of motion, and the right knee disability is also rated at 10 percent.,Both knees have not had compensable limitation of flexion or extension during the relevant rating period.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is related to his military service.,His bilateral ear condition (otitis externa) and ankle conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as bilateral hearing loss. The decision also notes that the Veteran’s sleep apnea is remanded for further examination.,Regarding arthritis in the hips and shoulders, the Veteran was asked to provide medical evidence showing a current disability and lay testimony linking it to military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, finding that there is no evidence to suggest a direct nexus between his in-service injury and his current disability. The Board also noted that the first radiographic evidence of arthritis was more than one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's left knee and left hip degenerative arthritis are granted as they resulted from trauma in service.,Service connection for right lower extremity neuropathy, including as secondary to exposure to herbicide agents is denied.

Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine has been granted.,An increased rating to 40 percent for hepatitis B and C is granted, but no higher. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the knees, cardiac murmur, and hypertension has been denied. The Board has found that there is no evidence to support these claims.,Regarding an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include chronic anxiety and PTSD), the Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including strain with bursitis and shoulder impingement syndrome and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and Grade 1 slap tear (dominant hand), has been rated at 30 percent since July 6, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis of both knees, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other compensable symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his hip conditions have been denied. The evidence does not support a finding of limitation of flexion or abduction that would warrant higher ratings.,Higher ratings are also not warranted for the Veteran’s hip impairment of the thigh.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have worsened, and the Board finds that a remand is necessary to assess their current severity levels.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right foot pes planus, right ankle osteoarthritis, and right ankle surgical scar were remanded due to the need for further development.,No effective date was assigned as the claims arose prior to August 9, 2018.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for his left knee condition, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disability near the time of separation from service and that any current left knee disability is not related to service or service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, right hip, and left hip disorders as secondary to service-connected disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions in the March 2017 VA examination. The Veteran's hypertension and CAD are also being remanded for further evaluation.