Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, as well as her osteoarthritis of the symphysis pubis, originated in military service or is otherwise attributable thereto. Therefore, the claim for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has reopened the claim and granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, finding that the Veteran's current disability is related to his in-service injury during a football game. The Board also found that the Veteran had continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the knees, status post total knee replacements, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service, including exposure to Project SHAD. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder osteoarthritis. The right shoulder osteoarthritis is found to be at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's in-service injury, but an opinion on whether it was aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder disability could not be provided without speculation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of new evidence, including a VHA opinion. The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine remains pending.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 7, 2014. The Board denied an increased rating for the condition.,Prior to March 7, 2014, a compensable rating was not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's thoracic and lumbar spine disorder, as well as his cervical spine disorder (including fibrositis and osteoarthritis of the cervical spine), both on a direct basis.

The Board has determined that service connection is not established for any of the claimed disabilities, including a low back disability, disorders of the bilateral eyes, major depression, and disabilities of the bilateral wrists and hands.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the AC joint with impingement and radiculopathy, is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury. With resolution of reasonable doubt, service connection for the residuals of a left shoulder injury is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including osteoarthritis of the right knee, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since March 30, 2011. As a result, he is granted a TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is 70%, which meets the schedular criteria for TDIU. However, the evidence does not support a finding that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral eye condition was remanded, but no supplemental statement of the case has been issued yet.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure a complete record upon which to decide the claims for higher evaluations for his service-connected left hip and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and examinations regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left ear hearing loss. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an addendum opinion from the VA examiner regarding the etiology of any diagnosed conditions in his left foot or ankle.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the claims of service connection for left knee and right knee osteoarthritis.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disabilities did not manifest during active military service and are not related to a disease, injury, or event during service.