Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was incurred in service, and granted service connection for this condition. The Board also found that his bilateral L5 spondylolysis and grade one L5-S1 spondylolisthesis were not related to active service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle sprain with osteoarthritis and TMJ syndrome are not rated higher than the current 20 percent for the ankle disability, and no compensable rating is assigned for the TMJ syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to his active service, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for bipolar disorder was denied as the earliest possible effective date is January 21, 2005.,The Veteran's claim for a higher initial disability evaluation for degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine with disc protrusion and extrusion at L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels prior to April 22, 2015, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter was denied as there is no evidence that the Veteran's disability worsened between January 21, 2005 and April 22, 2015.

The Board has remanded the case for further actions including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reconsider his previously denied claim for service connection for chronic degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and nerve damage to the cervical spine, left shoulder, and left arm, claimed as secondary to surgical removal of ribs (now, status post removal of the first and cervical ribs for thoracic outlet syndrome).

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a VA orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion is granted, and the effective date is set at August 16, 2005.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is not etiologically related to his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee is caused by his service-connected ankle disabilities, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hand and foot disabilities, finding that these conditions are not related to his military service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claimed conditions of left and right hand numbness, pain, weakness, tingling sensations, carpal tunnel syndrome in the right wrist, and osteoarthritis were not found to be service-connected. The Board denied service connection based on a finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's stomach disorder, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right shoulder condition, Graves disease, knee conditions, COPD, sleep apnea, or chest syndrome to service. The Veteran's GERD was attributed to a known clinical diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's right and left hip bursitis results in limitation of extension to 5 degrees bilaterally, but not ankylosis or flail hip joint. The criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right foot fracture residuals is being remanded due to inadequate development of the record, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and left knee conditions are service-connected, with the evidence being in equipoise on all material elements of the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for his bilateral knee disabilities, PTSD, hearing loss, and tinnitus have been withdrawn. The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities are currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling based on instability under Diagnostic Code 5257. Separate 10 percent evaluations are assigned for each knee due to arthritis with painful motion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to evaluate the current severity of his service-connected low back disability and attempts to obtain any outstanding medical records.

The Board has determined that osteoarthritis of the right knee is etiologically related to service and grants service connection for this condition.