Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and issuing a Statement of the Case (SOC) for the initial compensable evaluation claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis and an earlier effective date for schizophrenia were denied. The Board also vacated the April 2012 decision due to a procedural error.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his cervical spine, right knee, and left shoulder conditions were denied by the Board.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic sinusitis, lumbar disc herniation, lumbosacral degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral osteoarthritis, and bilateral sciatica of the lower extremities.

The Board found that the current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine did not have onset during active service and is unrelated to a congenital abnormality or an injury, disease, or event during active service.

The Board has determined that the reduction in the Veteran's disability rating from 20 to 10 percent for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with residuals from a L4-5 microdiscectomy was not proper due to the fact that the lower rating had been in effect for less than five years and did not reflect an actual improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected shoulder conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including osteoarthritis, degenerative disc disease (DDD), spinal stenosis, sacroiliac joint osteoarthritis, and Schmorl's node, is causally related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted a compensable rating for de Quervain's disease of the left wrist with compartment release after December 7, 2013, but her other claims remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right and left knee osteoarthritis were denied as the evidence did not show that they warranted a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, osteoarthritis of the elbows, thoracolumbar spine disorder, right knee condition, and left knee disorder. The decision found no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions that was incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee. However, due to an in-service right knee injury and its potential impact on the left knee, the issue is being remanded to first address the right knee claim before considering the left knee.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted with compensable ratings, except for the hypertrophic gastritis which has a rating of 10 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service. Service connection was denied for a left ear disorder due to lack of evidence showing it is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for postoperative residuals of left total hip replacement, with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome and osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees are causally related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and seeking any outstanding treatment records. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing. The appeal is not ready for final disposition.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the initial rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to November 15, 2012, and a higher rating since.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination and opinion to determine if the Veteran's bilateral foot disorder, including degenerative arthritis, hallux valgus, and onychomycosis, is caused or aggravated by her service-connected pes planus. The examiner must also provide an opinion as to whether any onychomycosis is directly related to service.