Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for hearing loss was received on September 27, 2017. A compensable rating (zero percent) is denied.,A separate 10 percent rating for left knee instability from September 27, 2017, is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right foot disabilities due to a lack of recent VA examination and outstanding private medical records.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis with spondylolisthesis and cervical spine degenerative joint disease have been granted initial ratings of 20 percent each, effective January 9, 2018. The issues are considered resolved.

The Board has restored a 60 percent disability rating for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis and IVDS with scoliosis of the spine, effective November 1, 2017. The appeal is remanded to determine if a higher evaluation is warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for a left hip/groin strain, finding that it is proximately due to or the result of the Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer.

The Veteran was gainfully employed during the period prior to January 4, 2012. Therefore, a TDIU for this period is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right knee condition. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right knee condition, including osteoarthritis and residuals of meniscus tear.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected back disability and to address the issue of whether he is entitled to a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that it did not manifest within one year after separation and was not causally related to service.

The Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected conditions, and therefore he cannot be granted service connection for the cause of his death. Additionally, he did not meet the criteria to receive burial benefits as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claims for service connection for PTSD and a back disability is granted. The Board has remanded both issues due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral spondylosis, lumbar degenerative disc disease, L1 vertebral compression fracture, multilevel facet changes and osteophytes at C3 through C7 along with multilevel degenerative disc disease, tension headaches, and right shoulder disability are all granted. The claims for service connection for right hip disorder and right elbow are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for his left knee disability in September 2018, and the Board dismissed the case as a result.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, lumbosacral sprain, right shoulder injury, and bilateral hearing loss due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there is no direct or secondary service connection based on the lack of evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, hypertension, lumbar spine disability, chronic bronchitis, heart disability, stomach condition (to include ulcers), and epidermal inclusion cyst. The Board found that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's service or any presumptive exposure basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the back are not related to his military service, but the issues regarding migraine headaches have been remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left shoulder disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not show that either condition has resulted in limitation of motion to a level warranting a higher rating.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen her previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disorder and has also determined that she is entitled to service connection for this condition as secondary to her service-connected multilevel degenerative disc disease most noted at L4-L5 and L5-S1. The decision resolves all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for fatigue and right shoulder disability due to conflicting opinions on causation. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, with a secondary basis if related to his service-connected PTSD.