Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports and the need for a new opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities caused or aggravated his obesity, which in turn caused or aggravated his obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's bilateral great toe disabilities, including degenerative arthritis and gout, are rated at a single 10 percent disability rating throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as there were no findings supporting more severe symptoms.,Service connection for tinnitus was denied because it was not shown to be related to service, and there is no evidence of continuous symptomatology since service.,Service connection for prostatitis was denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment, and the absence of continuity of symptomatology after service.,Service connection for residuals of a head injury was denied as there was no current diagnosis of TBI or its residuals.,Service connection for hypertension was denied because it was not shown to be related to service, and there is no evidence of continuous symptomatology since service.,Service connection for myopia was denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment, and the absence of continuity of symptomatology after service.,Service connection for OSA was denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or a current diagnosis related to service.,Service connection for HIV was denied because it was not shown to be related to service, and there is no evidence of continuous symptomatology since service.,Service connection for gout was denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment, and the absence of continuity of symptomatology after service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection, rating, and TDIU due to additional relevant VA clinical documentation submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10% for flexion and extension issues, with a separate rating of 10% for instability. The right knee service connection claim was remanded.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with its previous remand instructions and thus the case is being returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the August 2021 VA examination report, requiring a new VA examination for the Veteran's right ankle condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records and SSA benefits application.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right knee disability, secondary to a left knee disability, is granted as service-connected. The case is now remanded for further review.

The Veteran's back disability, including thoracic multilevel degenerative arthritis, kyphosis with levoscoliosis, lumbar spondylosis, bilateral thoracic neuritis (quiescent), and spinal fusion, is being remanded for further evaluation due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been granted service connection.,Service connection has also been granted for degenerative arthritis of the left knee with total knee replacement, right knee with total knee replacement, and lumbar spine.

The Veteran's tinnitus and heart disease are granted service connection, while bilateral hearing loss and left knee disability are denied. Hyperlipidemia is not considered a disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates to establish service connection for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis of the spine, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral feet disabilities were denied as there was no CUE in the March 2007 rating decision.

The Board has denied service connection for the Veteran's lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine (claimed as lower back condition), right hip osteoarthritis, and right knee condition.,There is no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left hip condition and whether it is related to service on a direct basis or aggravated by his service-connected right hip condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral knee osteoarthritis have been granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran was exposed to acoustic trauma in service, which caused his current tinnitus. For the knees, the Board determined that the symptoms were chronic during service and continued after service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent since January 8, 2016. The Board found that the Veteran's range of motion most closely approximates a limitation midway between his side and shoulder level.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes due to IVDS, and thus, the Veteran's service-connected back condition does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent. Similarly, his right and left lower extremity radiculopathies were rated as moderate based on the provided evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a left leg disability as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board denied the appellant's request for an effective date earlier than December 12, 2017, for awards of service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy.