Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for sinusitis prior to May 2, 2014. The claim for increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied in September 2008 and not reopened. The effective date for the grant of service connection for right shoulder disability is denied as it predates his March 31, 2015 claim.,The initial rating for right shoulder disability remains at noncompensable (0%) since its effective date on March 31, 2015. The Veteran's right shoulder disability was found to be aggravated by a service-connected lumbar spine disability and rated as secondary.,A temporary 100% rating is assigned for the period from January 9, 2020 to February 29, 2020 due to surgical treatment necessitating convalescence.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted as secondary to his cervical spine disability. The Veteran's right hip, knee, and ankle disabilities are all granted with specific ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of November 27, 2009. The Board granted a TDIU from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee condition, including osteoarthritis of the left knee, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current diagnosis and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back condition, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and an in-service injury. The preponderance of the evidence does not support the claim.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, effective March 9, 2009. The rating is denied as the condition does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete factual basis. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again with new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current conditions to any in-service injuries or diseases.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted service connection. The Veteran's right jaw nerve problem, right eye condition, and left knee joint osteoarthritis are remanded for further evaluation.

The appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis should be evaluated at a higher rating, but needs further development to ensure proper testing of his range of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient development and consideration of his claims, particularly regarding the motor vehicle accident in May 1988. Additional VA opinions are needed to address the relationship between his current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the appeal due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of lumbar degenerative arthritis is related to his in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis, PTSD, prostate cancer, and erectile dysfunction secondary to prostate cancer are all granted. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle fracture residuals did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, and his osteoarthritis of the mid foot was also rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 16, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating or TDIU prior to April 25, 2018.

The Board denied increased evaluations for the Veteran's right knee internal derangement and partial ACL tear, as well as his infra-patella neuritis. The evidence did not show severe recurrent subluxation or lateral instability for the right knee, nor severe to complete paralysis due to the infra-patella neuritis.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with L4-5 fixation is rated at 40 percent since December 21, 2019. The limitation of extension of the left knee and PO residuals of a menisceal tear and ACL reconstruction are not granted as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.