Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a new VA examination. The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is also being evaluated.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine was denied. The current disability rating is 20 percent, effective prior to May 22, 2014.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his military service, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee degenerative arthritis is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis with meniscal tear and chondromalacia patella, is related to an injury sustained during active duty service. As such, the claim for service connection for a right knee disability is granted.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right hand disability, an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, and service connection for right ear hearing loss have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current hearing loss in either ear or a nexus between the Veteran's hearing loss and military noise exposure.

The Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis was caused by his service-connected gunshot wound of the left ankle and foot with unfavorable ankylosis, resulting in significant gait disturbance over time. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, is related to his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis results in pain and stiffness, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as per VA regulations.

The Board has reopened the service connection claim for disability of the first and second toes of the right foot, finding new and material evidence. The case is now remanded for further development including a VA examination to determine if the current diagnoses are related to an injury sustained in active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative disease of the lumbar spine, was incurred in service due to his reported in-service injuries and continuity of symptomatology.

The Veteran's back disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to August 22, 2014. Effective March 1, 2015, his disability warranted a 40% rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to her active service, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection.,Similarly, the Board found no evidence of a current left knee disability within one year after discharge from service, and therefore cannot establish service connection based on chronicity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to assess the current severity of her thoracolumbar spine disability and femoral nerve impairment, including any associated bowel impairment. The case will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee osteoarthritis is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the right and left wrists were denied. The right wrist was rated at 10 percent, while the left wrist was rated based on unfavorable ankylosis with ulnar deviation.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 20 percent rating, effective June 30, 2008. A separate 30 percent rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy from June 30, 2008 to September 1, 2009 was also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left hip osteoarthritis, including post-arthroplasty for the left hip, are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected conditions, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The claim for accrued benefits is denied as there were no pending claims at the time of the Veteran's death. The Appellant's request for entitlement to a death pension is remanded due to the conflict in determining whether the Veteran's death was service-connected or not.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder, right ankle, and right knee disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service. The VA examiners found no evidence of aggravation beyond expected progression.