Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 23, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for osteoarthritis (other than the right ankle and cervical and lumbar spine) has been denied. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability remains pending, as does the claim for service connection for a digestive disorder, claimed as GERD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for osteoarthritis of the right and left knees are granted. The claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.

The Board found no claim for service connection prior to February 23, 2005 and thus denied the earlier effective date claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional evidence, including medical records from November 11, 2011 onwards.

The Board has granted service connection for back and neck disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The initial ratings have been assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disability, including hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The pre-existing condition of club foot did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis has been manifested by full extension and at least 130 degrees of flexion. The Board found that the disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees, hands, and shoulders. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending as there is insufficient evidence to determine whether it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's lower back disorder was not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, seeking addendum opinions from the July 2015 VA examiner regarding the nature and etiology of his right shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorders, bilateral foot disorders, heart disorder, and bilateral venous insufficiency, and addressing the Veteran's complaints of sciatica in the lower extremities.

The Veteran's right shoulder joint has been rated at 20 percent for degenerative arthritis, which is the minimum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5201. The Board finds a remand necessary to assess the current severity of his disability post-surgery.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, translating any identified documents, scheduling a VA audiological examination, and readjudicating the claim for increased evaluation of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's right shoulder acromioclavicular joint separation with osteoarthritis and paresthesia of gingiva have been rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Board is remanding the case for a new VA examination to consider all of the Veteran's in-service injuries and his lay statements, including those from the February 2016 hearing testimony. The examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not that any current right or left knee disorder, including degenerative arthritis, is etiologically related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right hip disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, originated during his active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left hip disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder and fibromyalgia, as well as his request to reopen a claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis. The increased rating claim for bilateral pes planus was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is related to service, including his fall in service. The examiner must consider the Veteran's lay statements of continuity of symptomatology since injury in service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by rotator cuff tears and degenerative arthritis, has been rated at 20 percent since March 1, 2013. The rating is for limitation of motion of the arm.