Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, but further development is needed to determine the etiology of his disorder. His current lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome disability requires a VA examination to assess its severity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, finding that there was no evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is remanded due to evidence indicating worsening of the condition.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for varicose veins and granted it, but denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury and that there is continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate VA examinations in previous decisions. The Veteran is also being asked to provide information regarding flare-ups of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability and PTSD, as well as his TDIU claim are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition and left leg spasms as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.,Service connection was also remanded for right hip tendinitis and unspecified polyneuropathy bilateral distal legs, both claimed as secondary to the same service-connected condition.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of these conditions during service or within one year after separation. The Board finds the Veteran's statements regarding the onset and continuity of symptoms to be inconsistent.,The Veteran's lower back and left hip disabilities are not considered to have been incurred in service due to a lack of continuity of symptomatology, as there is no evidence of these conditions during active duty or within one year after separation. The Board also finds that the Veteran did not seek treatment for his current right elbow disability until 2014.

The Veteran's claims for a separate rating for neurologic abnormalities associated with the service-connected low back pain secondary to sacroiliitis with degenerative arthritis changes and TDIU are being remanded due to issues with the adequacy of the October 2015 VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee degenerative arthritis as well as atopic dermatitis prior to February 13, 2015, and on or after that date have all been denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received, and to that extent only, the reopening of the claim for service connection for a back disability is granted. The Veteran's back disability (including osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease) was found to be secondary to his service-connected left anterior cruciate ligament repair.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition is granted as secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability. The earlier effective date claim for the right shoulder rating has been withdrawn and dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that there was no evidence linking the condition to service or within one year after service.