Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment. Depression is considered part of the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent rating for post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the right great toe, effective May 20, 2016.,A 10 percent evaluation is also granted for left thigh muscle strain. The issue regarding multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities prior to February 17, 2015, has been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right hand disability and finds in favor of granting service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for Parkinson's disease and granted it, but denied the other issues on appeal. The Veteran was not provided with a rating or effective date as his claims were all reopened.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been granted effective January 8, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left foot and right foot osteoarthritis are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder degenerative arthritis is at least as likely as not related to his active service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and residuals of a bilateral leg injury, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not have their onset in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed hand and hip disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has determined that further development is required due to missing treatment records and a need for a VA examination. The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including osteoarthritis and rotator cuff syndrome, will be evaluated based on the available evidence.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is rated at 10%.,Cervical intervertebral disc syndrome was initially rated at 20%, and from September 27, 2013 to December 8, 2014, it was rated at 30%. From December 9, 2014, the rating is 30%.,Thoracolumbar spine DDD with lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome and thoracic disc herniation has been rated as 20% from December 9, 2014.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity was initially rated at 30%. From December 9, 2014, it is rated at 30%.,Right hip strain has a rating of 10%.,Status post bilateral inguinal hernia repair with scars have been rated as 10% since August 30, 2002 and remains at 10%.,Left knee scarring was initially rated at noncompensable (0%) prior to September 27, 2013. From September 27, 2013, it is rated as 20%

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, left knee degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis), and patellar chondromalacia of the left knee are all service-connected. The neurological disorder of the left shoulder is not service-connected.

The Veteran's back disability, including his congenital partial sacralization of the left L5 vertebra/lumbarization of S1 and degenerative arthritis and Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board finds that the current back disabilities are not related to active service.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as there is no credible evidence of symptoms during or immediately following service and no medical opinion linking current disability to service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral knee strain, early mild degenerative joint disease/osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees (slight spurring posterior patella), and bilateral ankle strain, claimed as residuals of bilateral leg fractures. The case must be remanded to obtain a supplemental medical opinion addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cause of death, listed as acute respiratory failure due to COPD, was not caused or substantially contributed to by any service-connected condition. The appellant's claim for a heart disability in service is unsubstantiated and speculative.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be secondary to his service-connected unspecified trauma-related disorder.,Service connection for osteoarthritis of the right and left knees has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee disability have been granted, with a separate evaluation of 10 percent assigned for symptomatic right knee status post meniscectomy.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded for additional examinations and development. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as due to exposure to an herbicidal agent, have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatic steatosis due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune was denied. The VA examiner found no causal relationship between the Veteran's current liver condition and his in-service exposure.