Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2013

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a causal relationship between the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, including osteoarthritis, and his military service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for increased ratings and an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and consideration of new evidence. The issues regarding his service-connected spine disorders are still under review.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been characterized by complaints of pain and tenderness, abnormal contour of the spine, and some limitation of motion. The VA examiner found that his flexion was more limited than clinically observed but still exceeded what would warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent. Therefore, he is currently rated at 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and separate ratings have been granted. He is now rated at 40 percent for his DJD of the lumbar spine, with a separate 10 percent rating for each knee condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder did not manifest during service and is not attributable to service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, right knee, and left lower extremity conditions have been rated as appropriate based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been manifested by pain and limitation of motion, but no ankylosis, dislocated semilunar cartilage, no limitation of extension, or impairment of the tibia and fibula. The Board finds that his disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected foot disabilities are being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and an addendum opinion addressing the relationship between his nonservice-connected plantar fasciitis and his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by osteoarthritis with labral tear and rotator cuff tendonitis, has been rated at 20 percent since January 5, 2008. The current rating is denied as the evidence does not show limitation of motion to a degree that warrants an increased evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The appeal was remanded multiple times, but the claims were ultimately denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for GERD and osteoarthritis (other than lumbar spine) to determine if they are secondary to service-connected disabilities. The March 2012 VA examiner provided an addendum opinion addressing these issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee arthritis and instability, as well as an initial evaluation for his right knee disability were denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran had DJD of the left knee with a flexion range to 140 degrees without pain.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for ulnar neuropathy and osteoarthritis of the right upper extremity due to additional development needed, including obtaining private treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin problems and arthritis of the knees, ankles, and right elbow are not related to his service-connected syphilis.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hip, finding that it is related to active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis and hypertension were not incurred in or aggravated by service, are not due to a service-connected disability, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board found no evidence of a service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, or left knee disabilities. The conditions were not shown to be related to his in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and arthritis of the wrists, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current low back and wrist disorders and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left knee and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are related to his active military service.