Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and traumatic brain injury residuals are related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

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

The VA examiner found no relationship between the Veteran's low back disorder and his service-connected right knee disability, concluding that the Veteran's low back disorder is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and residuals of head trauma, finding that his injuries were not due to willful misconduct.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability contributed substantially to his death from metastate cancer. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain an addendum opinion from the September 2013 VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis. The examiner should address whether it is at least as likely as not that the disability is related to active duty service and/or caused by or aggravated by service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the right upper and lower extremities was denied. The claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine (prior to September 8, 2015), and cervical spine (from September 8, 2015 onwards) were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including valvular heart disease with mitral stenosis, right knee replacement, degenerative arthritis and chondromalacia of the left knee, and bilateral pes planus, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran while his appeal was pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder and back conditions are related to his in-service motorcycle accident, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by painful motion and limited range of motion at the shoulder level, warrants a 20 percent initial rating under Diagnostic Code 5201.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral foot and shoulder disabilities were denied as the evidence did not establish a link between his current conditions and active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot degenerative arthritis is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected low back strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine are currently evaluated at 40 percent, but his intervertebral disc syndrome does not result in incapacitating episodes. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records from the Veteran's December 2014 surgery and considering a temporary total evaluation based on surgical or other treatment. The claim will be readjudicated with consideration of Diagnostic Code 5055 by analogy.

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a skin condition (tinea pedis) or any other foot disability, including bilateral pes planus and degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's preexisting mild pes planus did not increase in severity during service, and the arthritis found at the time of the August 2014 VA examination is considered to be a natural progression of the preexisting pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine disorder is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The case is being remanded for additional development to address the service connection of the Veteran's low back disability, including spina bifida occulta, degenerative arthritis, and spondylolysis.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues on appeal, including the reopening of a claim for osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees and claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, major joints, and lumbar spine.