Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Board finds the evidence is evenly balanced regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease are proximately due to his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability. The Veteran meets the current disability requirement, and his assertions support a finding that his neck disabilities developed as a result of compensating for back pain.

The Board found no evidence of a current right knee disability related to service, and the Veteran's cystic fibrosis is considered a congenital condition. The Board denied service connection for residuals of heat exposure as there was no currently diagnosed residual disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for osteoarthritis of the right and left knees have been dismissed as he has requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and neuritis of the left lower extremity were not found to warrant higher initial ratings based on current symptomatology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and secondary service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral region. The heart disability and bilateral hearing loss disability claims were dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has granted increased initial evaluations for various spinal and joint disabilities, but denied service connection for hypertension and sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his left shoulder disabilities was granted, with a 20 percent rating maintained for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule examinations for his service-connected conditions, and determine the relationship between his current disabilities and service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, including pes planus. The Board has determined that additional medical examination and development are needed to address the nature and etiology of any diagnosed bilateral foot disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and right wrist disability, have rendered him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including his meniscus tear and osteoarthritis, was not incurred in or caused by an in-service event or injury. The VA examiner found no link between the current diagnoses and the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, including residuals of surgery to the great toes, is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a left foot or toe disorder. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability for his left foot.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including limitation of extension, instability, and flexion, is currently rated at 40 percent. His bilateral hearing loss has not been found to warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to July 21, 2014 and did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent from July 21, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, diagnosed as generalized anxiety disorder. The cervical and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has found that the Veteran does have a current diagnosis of PTSD based on his claimed in-service stressor, which is related to service. Therefore, service connection for PTSD is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his in-service exposure to ionizing radiation. The medical evidence does not support a connection between the disabilities and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disability warrants a 10 percent rating since December 1, 2008. The evidence shows moderate limitation of motion in the ankle prior to March 11, 2013 and marked limitation of motion beginning on that date.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease, bilateral hearing loss, and PTSD. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 50% since December 10, 2015, with a prior rating of 30% before that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sciatica of the right lower extremity is proximately due to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine warrants a 10 percent evaluation, as it does not result in limitation of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine to 60 degrees or less, a combined range of motion of 120 degrees or less, severe guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis or abnormal kyphosis, ankylosis, or incapacitating episodes requiring bedrest and treatment by a physician. The Veteran's hypertension has been manifested by diastolic blood pressure of predominantly between 70 mm and 90 mm, and by systolic pressure predominantly in the 130s and 140s.