Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of April 1, 2019 for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine. The decision affords the Veteran the benefit of the doubt and finds that his claim was filed on April 1, 2019.

The Veteran's appeal seeking increased ratings for various conditions has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the claim for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's back disability and whether it is related to his service-connected right leg condition or an in-service injury.

The Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis, status post total hip replacement, was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that the Veteran’s Barrett's esophagus began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The preponderance of the evidence is against finding that the Veteran’s prostate cancer was shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sleep apnea and various hip and back disabilities. The appeals are being returned for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU prior to January 24, 2020 are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left foot hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for post-operative with mild degenerative arthritis of the right and left feet, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing foot conditions were aggravated by military service.,Service connection was also remanded for a right ankle condition due to an in-service ski accident.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and anterolisthesis L4-5, finding no new evidence relevant to the claims.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective from August 2018, which is the date of filing of her claim. The current rating reflects forward flexion to 30 degrees or less.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hip disability, finding that a VA examination is needed to determine if her hip disabilities are related to service or secondary to her service-connected scoliosis.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of December 11, 2014 for the award of a TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following gainful employment as of that date.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) and found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to August 26, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left hip osteoarthritis is not related to an in-service injury and therefore, service connection cannot be established.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent from March 19, 2019. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this period.,For the periods prior to March 19, 2019, the Veteran's cervical spine disability was previously rated at 10 percent and then recharacterized as 30 percent effective March 19, 2019. The Board has found that there is insufficient evidence to support a higher rating for these periods.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from finding and maintaining gainful employment since the filing of his claim in June 2005.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to his current left shoulder disability, diagnosed as AC joint osteoarthritis and labral tear, being more likely than not caused by degenerative wear and tear rather than an improper administration of a vaccine in January 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and unclear opinions. The issues include osteoarthritis, hysterectomy, bronchitis, and TDIU.