Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of additional dependent compensation for his spouse is granted, with the effective date set at March 1, 2019.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The left knee disability remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of a left leg injury and a disability manifested by diarrhea and vomiting are dismissed as there is no controversy at issue.,Service connection for right shoulder osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tear, and biceps tendinitis is denied due to lack of evidence showing the conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder degenerative joint disease with rotator cuff tendonitis, right elbow osteoarthritis, and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome as these conditions are found to be aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected right hand ulnar styloid fracture with degenerative arthritis of the carpal bones.

The Veteran's appeals regarding depression, PTSD, sleep disturbances as secondary to PTSD, anxiety condition as secondary to PTSD, stress as secondary to erectile dysfunction, and the ratings for degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (previously rated as lumbar strain), radiculopathy of the lower left extremity due to degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome, and radiculopathy, right lower extremity have been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and left shoulder disorders due to insufficient examination findings and lack of noise exposure assessment.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been denied as his conditions do not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right flat foot, left flat foot, right hip osteoarthritis with femoral acetabular impingement, and left hip osteoarthritis with femoral acetabular impingement. The diagnoses are supported by the Veteran's lay statements and medical evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing her appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, as well as her claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance due to vertigo, are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and diabetes mellitus have been granted service connection. The Veteran's right shoulder, left shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities are denied as not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected PTSD, but denied service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding that there was no evidence of chronic symptoms during or after service and insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between current disabilities and service.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and meniscal tear are rated at the highest available ratings, with a separate rating for limitation of extension. The RO denied a higher rating due to the 'amputation rule'.

The Board has ordered remand for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for retrospective findings regarding the Veteran's neck and back disabilities.