Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for his left hip disability and for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for his heart disability have been dismissed due to a lack of timely appeal.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine was denied. The effective date is March 23, 2009.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is less likely due to his service-connected PTSD and more likely related to natural progression of age-related degenerative arthritis. The claim for secondary service connection is denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been characterized by depression, social avoidance, intrusive memories, nightmares, a past history of suicide attempts with no current suicidal ideation, impaired memory, and trouble sleeping. The criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent have not been met.

The Board found that there was no evidence showing a chronic condition in service or during the applicable presumptive period, and the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder did not have its onset in service. The VA examiner concluded that it is less likely than not (less than 50% probability) that any lumbar spine disorder had its onset in service or was otherwise casually related to a conceded in-service back injury.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities, finding that his current conditions are related to a fall during service and subsequent development of degenerative arthritis.

The VA has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left ankle condition, and no other service-connected conditions are linked to his claimed disabilities.,VA examinations found diagnoses of medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow), osteoarthritis of the acromioclavicular joint, lumbar degenerative disc disease, and lumbar osteoarthritis. The Veteran reported experiencing pain in his shoulders and elbows during service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from April 1, 2009. The small bowel perforation post-operative condition remains noncompensable.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lower extremity and neurological conditions, effectively result in the loss of use of his left lower extremity together with residuals of organic disease which so affect the functions of balance or propulsion that he is precluded from locomotion without the aid of a cane. His claim for specially adapted housing assistance is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disorder. The claim will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VA records and a need for an examination to determine if the Veteran's current neck disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of left knee meniscectomy do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and his left knee degenerative arthritis does not warrant an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to her combined disability rating and other compensations.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities and consideration of whether an extraschedular TDIU rating should be considered.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish service connection for the Veteran's claimed low back, right knee, and left knee disabilities. The preponderance of the medical evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and their evaluations, with some issues related to hip disability, gout, arthritis, back pain, nerve compression, flat feet, and hypertension. The case is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and degenerative arthritis and spondylolysis of the thoracolumbar spine. The Board has remanded these claims due to a need to locate VA medical records from 1982-1993 and to attempt to obtain a nexus opinion from the identified VA physician who provided a verbal opinion on his back condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work experience.