Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2015

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and for retinal detachment in the left eye as secondary to service-connected aphakia of the left eye. The Board found that the current diagnoses did not have onset during or immediately after service, were not related to active service, including an injury sustained in November 1965, and did not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip osteoarthritis and total hip replacement residuals, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his service-connected right knee chondromalacia patella and a left knee sprain. Service connection was denied for lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's right knee subluxation and osteoarthritis were restored to a 20 percent rating effective September 22, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left hip and low back disabilities are not related to service or service-connected conditions, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found that there is no evidence showing a current disability of osteoarthritis of the left knee, and any such condition did not manifest within one year after service discharge. The VA opinions obtained in July 2013 and May 2015 concluded that the Veteran's left knee disability was less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral foot and ankle disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right knee disability and a temporary total rating for convalescence following surgery, finding that the criteria for these ratings were not met.

The Veteran's right knee conditions, including degenerative arthritis and instability, are currently rated at the maximum allowable under current VA rating criteria. He is not entitled to higher ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to report for a scheduled hearing. The initial evaluations and compensable ratings for the left knee conditions are still pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, PTSD, anal fissure, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, tinnitus, peripheral neuropathy, right ankle laxity, inguinal hernia repair residuals, left ear scar, groin scar, and erectile dysfunction, collectively preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's left elbow disability and associated ulnar neuropathy are currently rated at 10 percent, effective since January 2003. The claim for TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left ankle and knee disorders were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis, DDD, and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine are related to his in-service back injury and disorders. The claim for residuals of a right foot injury is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, bladder dysfunction, bowel incontinence, left lower extremity disability, and erectile dysfunction was denied by the Board. The Veteran is currently receiving a 40 percent rating for his lumbar spine disability from October 18, 2010 onwards.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and updating treatment records. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability, which was a result of his military service, contributed to his death from pulmonary thromboembolism. The cause of death is therefore service connected.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, including any arthritic condition disability of his bilateral hands and feet. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a new VA examination of the Veteran's left ankle degenerative arthritis.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current left shoulder condition and his service, including Gulf War exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.