Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and left hip disabilities are secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus by way of aggravation, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for cold injuries of the upper and lower extremities with polyneuropathy is dismissed. The Board finds that he has current diagnoses of osteoarthritis of his right ankle and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety disorder, and dysthymic disorder, which are related to his active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected left hip osteoarthritis has been rated at 10 percent since January 29, 2009. Separate noncompensable ratings have been assigned for limitation of extension and flexion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining additional opinions from the VA examiner regarding right knee flare-ups and left knee aggravation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lumbar strain, bilateral knee degenerative joint disease (DJD), right shoulder disorders including osteoarthritis and impingement, and bilateral ankle arthritis. The diagnoses were not deemed to be related to service.

The Veteran's lower back condition and left knee condition are found to be at least as likely as not aggravated or proximately due to his service-connected right knee disability, respectively.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by meniscal tear with episodes of pain, locking, and effusion, resulted in a compensable rating for limitation of extension. The Board granted the Veteran a separate 20 percent rating since March 6, 2012, based on his limited right knee extension.

The Board found that the Veteran's hospitalization was primarily for a nonservice-connected condition, and her service-connected back disabilities did not contribute to the length of her hospital stay.

The Veteran seeks service connection for osteoarthritis with disc bulge at L5-S1, T11-T12, which he claims is related to an in-service motor vehicle accident. The Board has determined that a VA examination and medical opinion are needed to determine if the current condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's left knee patellar tendon rupture and instability have been rated, but the increased rating for instability from July 8, 2015 is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. His claims for increased ratings for shoulder disabilities remain in appellate status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected thoracic and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with thoracic spine dextrorotoscoliosis, left ankle sprain and left Achilles calcaneal spur, restless leg syndrome, and right shoulder strain.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since March 2010. The VA examinations have shown limited motion and osteoarthritis, but no additional limitation of motion or instability warranting a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal due to a withdrawal request from the appellant's authorized representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability, including osteoarthritis, is due to his in-service injury and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left leg disabilities, including chondromalacia and osteoarthritis of the knee and an associated ganglion cyst of the hip, are not related to his military service. The Board determined that the Veteran's symptoms were more likely due to normal aging process, previous injuries, and occupational stress.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination for his right hip disability. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for the right hip and lumbar spine disabilities are also being remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by painful and weak motion with unfavorable ankylosis to 25 degrees from the side, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a request for withdrawal from the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right leg and hip disabilities are related to his service-connected injury in service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.