Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2015

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to an inadequate VA medical opinion, and further development is required.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for chronic depression, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine prior to October 23, 2002, or degenerative arthritis of the left knee prior to October 6, 1999.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability is rated at 20 percent effective from June 12, 2015. The claim for a higher initial evaluation has been granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and it may not be presumed to have been incurred in active service.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran's right shoulder disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected gunshot wound to the left side of the neck with muscle involvement, degenerative changes of the cervical spine, or surgical scar on the right side of neck disabilities.

The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against finding a link between the Veteran's left knee condition and his period of service or secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's left foot degenerative arthritis is manifested by pain with difficulty walking, but does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating. The claim for service connection for residuals of a head injury and a disability manifested by a brain cyst are denied.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability and granted it, finding that new evidence supports the Veteran's assertion of an in-service injury. The current diagnosis is related to the in-service injury.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and limitation of flexion due to osteoarthritis, is currently rated at 20 percent. The appeal for higher ratings has been granted.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip osteoarthritis and replacement, as well as residuals of bilateral hand and wrist injuries. The Veteran did not exhibit any left hip disability in service or within one year after discharge, and there is insufficient medical evidence linking his current conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability and obtain all outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and thus denied all of his claims.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for left knee instability and a 30 percent rating for degenerative arthritis with limited extension, but the Veteran is not entitled to higher ratings as his symptoms do not more nearly approximate those required for a 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's knee disabilities are rated based on their functional limitations, with the right and left knees each receiving a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5003 for arthritis. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is also rated at 10 percent prior to July 24, 2015, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to address his back disability and right knee injury with osteoarthritis. The issue of TDIU has also been raised by the record.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination and medical opinions to determine if the Veteran's current foot osteoarthritis is related to his service, including any in-service injuries or events.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, right hip disorder, bilateral knee osteoarthritis, and thoracolumbar spine disorder are related to his service-connected toe fractures. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's degenerative spondylosis of the lower back is rated at 20 percent effective September 10, 2015. The Board also granted a separate disability rating of 60 percent for lumbar radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with his service-connected degenerative spondylosis of the lower back.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hip and knee disabilities are related to his period of active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The Board has remanded these matters for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and issuing a supplemental statement of the case.