Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical degenerative arthritis with stenosis is a direct result of service, and thus grants service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, 4th ed., that is related to a verified stressor event.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as there is no competent evidence establishing that the condition is related to disease or injury or other event in active service. The first manifestation of diabetes mellitus type II occurred many years after service separation and it was not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's arthritis of both knees and osteoarthritis of the left little finger have been granted service connection. His hearing loss has been increased to a 20% rating effective from September 6, 2012.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, right and left hallux valgus with bunion deformity and partial second toe amputation have been rated as 30 percent for bilateral pes planus and 10 percent each for right and left hallux valgus. The claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee resulted in pain and limited range of motion, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board also found that the Veteran's TDIU claim from April 2009 to June 6, 2010, was warranted due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and ensuring all pertinent medical treatment records are added to the claims file.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination for his lumbar spine disability and to determine if he qualifies for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and readjudicating the issues of higher initial disability ratings for his service-connected back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's right knee disability is manifested by degenerative arthritis, resulting in pain and noncompensable limitation in motion. The disability has not manifested ankylosis, recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, dislocation of the semilunar cartilage, malunion or non-union of the tibia and fibula, or genu recurvatum.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, dorsal osteoarthritis, and maxillary sinusitis were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's left ankle disability, effective from February 21, 2013. A separate 20 percent rating is also granted for bilateral shin splints as secondary to the service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of left shoulder arthritis or left hip osteoarthritis, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's left hip disability is being remanded for an additional VA examination to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder, left foot plantar fasciitis and heel spur, right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, hypothyroidism, iatrogenic, and hypertension have been granted service connection. The Veteran is entitled to a 10% rating for his left foot condition.

The Board has determined that a right knee disorder, including degenerative arthritis of the right knee, is etiologically related to service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities are not service-connected as they are considered to be the result of natural progression post-service, with no evidence linking them directly to his military service.