Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Board finds that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the cervical spine should be granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left rotator cuff disorder is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's current diagnosed lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his active service and the Board finds that they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing with the Board due to his request. The initial compensable evaluations for bilateral hearing loss disability and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are on hold until further notice.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar disability is currently rated at 40 percent from August 1, 2011. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for increased ratings and initial rating claims for left knee conditions. The Board is dismissing the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for an extension beyond March 31, 2010 for a TTR based on treatment requiring convalescence has been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's nonservice-connected pension claim, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a comprehensive employment history assessment. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities are not service-connected as they are not related to his active duty service or any recognized chronic condition that manifested within one year of separation from service. The Board finds the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral pes planus with hammertoes and plantar calluses.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis are aggravated by his service-connected pes planus, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the current benefits award.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the right thumb. The Veteran's GERD is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and arranging for an examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for pension or special monthly pension benefits due to his unemployability and lack of permanent total disability.

The Veteran's wrist arthritis and peripheral neuropathy disabilities have been rated based on their impact on range of motion, with no higher ratings warranted due to the severity of his symptoms.,The Veteran's wrist disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent for each wrist under Diagnostic Codes 5214 (arthritis) and 8515 (peripheral neuropathy), which reflect mild impairment.

The Veteran does not have a right hip disorder, diagnosed as osteoarthritis with subchondral sclerosis and cyst formation, attributable to service or service connected disability. Arthritis was first demonstrated years post-service.

The Board has remanded the case for readjudication with consideration of staged and extraschedular ratings, as well as obtaining any outstanding records pertinent to the claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, lumbar spine (claimed as tailbone disability), and basal cell carcinoma were denied. His claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 40 percent since July 28, 2010. This rating reflects his limited forward flexion to 10-15 degrees and pain on motion.