Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, was denied. The VA examiner found no current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy and noted that it resolved without residuals in 1988.

The Board has found that the Veteran's symptoms of degenerative disc disease and facet osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine have been continuous since service separation, thus meeting the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including post-operative residuals of a fractured right distal tibia and fibula, lumbar DDD, patellofemoral arthritis of the right knee, residual scar on the right ankle, and osteoarthritis of the right foot, have been found to be so disabling as to preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material, thus denying the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for the service-connected fracture of the left little toe and entitlement to service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral feet, claimed as secondary to the service-connected fracture of the left little toe, are pending.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left thigh dermatitis was withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the claim of service connection for right 1st metatarsophalangeal joint osteoarthritis as there is no evidence showing it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is not related to his service or any disease, injury, or event during service and was not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's cause of death.

The Board found that the Veteran's scoliosis existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, however, did not develop within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is service-connected as secondary to his right knee disability.,The Veteran's right knee subluxation and right lower extremity radiculopathy are both rated at the maximum available evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from the examiner who conducted the June 2013 VA examination regarding functional loss due to pain on use or flare-ups of the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorders, including degenerative disc disease and spinal fusion, are not related to his military service.,Regarding the respiratory disorder other than asthma (COPD), the VA examiner concluded it is not due to or caused by or exacerbated by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected left hip disability is rated at 70 percent, effective from the date of his claim. His right hip and low back disabilities are not currently assigned a specific rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis and instability are rated at 20 percent, the highest available rating for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disorders have been denied as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized non-VA medical expenses is denied as the treatment was not for an emergent condition and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's claim was partially granted, with some issues receiving a higher rating and others remaining at the current level. The service connection for certain conditions is established, but not all claims were successful.

The Board has granted service connection for right hand degenerative arthritis and thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis with scoliosis, both rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and further examination.