Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee condition, diagnosed as osteoarthritis status-post total knee replacement, was not shown to be related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that it resulted from injury during military service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his lumbosacral spine and right knee disabilities were granted, but the rating for his lumbosacral spine was found to be inadequate.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it is secondary to his service-connected right and left knee disabilities. The decision also notes that reasonable doubt was resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the knees, is not related to his military service. The examiner concluded that the condition was less likely than not incurred in or caused by a right knee injury during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability alone rendered him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's hip disability was not manifest during active service and did not develop or be aggravated as a result of service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding in favor of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including gastroesophageal disability, tension headache disability, osteoarthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spine, bilateral plantar fasciitis with degenerative changes at the first metatarsophalangeal joint, cervical strain with degenerative joint and disc disease, left knee orthopedic disability, left elbow nerve disability, and tinnitus, meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU. The Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, degenerative arthritis/disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, and degenerative arthritis/disc disease of the cervical spine are being remanded due to a failure to issue a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) after February 2015 examinations.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by osteoarthritis and osteochondritis dissecans, was manifested by flexion of the knee to no less than 90 degrees with painful motion. The Board determined that a rating in excess of 10 percent for this condition is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The case is now remanded to consider entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left foot conditions, including calcaneal osteotomy, degenerative arthritis, and plantar heel spur, were not caused by his in-service left foot sprain. The bilateral knee replacements are also not considered secondary to any current left foot disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral degenerative arthritis of the hips is related to his military service and grants this claim.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his service-connected left knee disability, including claims for back, hip, and knee disabilities. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability is manifested by continuous pain with no more than moderate limitation of motion, even considering flare-ups and the effects of pain and weakness. The criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left elbow disability is proximately due to his service-connected right knee disability, and affording him the benefit of doubt, finds in favor of granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's cervical spine strain, right knee osteoarthritis status post-surgery with loss of cartilage in patella and femoral areas, and left wrist scaphoid fracture are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been remanded due to the need for a supplemental statement of the case. The Veteran has not had a VA examination of the knees since June 2010, on remand he should be provided a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical records, scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, and determining whether any claimed conditions are related to military service.