Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The appeal is dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the left and right hands, as well as his left and right knee disabilities are granted.,Service connection is also granted for a psychiatric disability, to include PTSD.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disorder, finding that the current back disorder is not related to the in-service injury and there was no continuity of symptoms or chronicity within one year after service.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his low back strain and TDIU are remanded due to incomplete examination, lack of treatment records from the VA Medical Center, and need for further assessment.

The Veteran's right foot disability, including degenerative arthritis, metatarsalgia, pes planus, and calcaneal spur with plantar fasciitis, is rated at 30 percent since April 25, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis of the shoulders and acne rosacea were denied as they are not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for further examination.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is sought. The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral recurrent tinnitus, and right knee osteoarthritis (OA).,There was no evidence of chronic conditions in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The VA audiologist opined that the Veteran’s hearing loss and tinnitus were less likely as not caused by or a result of in-service noise exposure.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence linking his current left knee condition to military service or his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical multilevel spondylosis, multilevel lumbar degenerative spine disease, bilateral Achilles enthesopathy, mid left acetabular sclerosis, and bilateral knee mild osteoarthritis.,Service connection was denied for malaria, right hip condition, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), headaches, and acid reflux.

The Veteran withdrew from appeal his claims for service connection for lumbar spine arthritis and a higher rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various issues due to the lack of an adequate substantive appeal.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals on all issues except service connection for a left foot disability, which is remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent effective March 17, 2010. Both ratings are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a cerebrovascular accident has been withdrawn.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no in-service event or continuous symptomatology related to the condition.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied due to lack of evidence showing current disability within VA standards.,The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder, osteoarthritis impacting multiple joints, and erectile dysfunction are remanded for further evaluation.,Further medical examination is needed to determine if the Veteran’s conditions are related to service or other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues of flat feet, tinnitus, and knee conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including PTSD and multiple physical disabilities, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. However, due to his employment during part of the appellate period, further evidence is needed to determine if his employment constitutes 'substantially gainful employment' or 'marginal employment'.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis due to inadequate examination and clarification needed regarding the Veteran’s left knee limitations.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The ratings for bilateral hearing loss, acquired psychiatric disorder, and right knee disorder are also denied.