Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination in January 2012, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities were caused or aggravated by his service-connected pes planus.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative osteoarthritis with associated degenerative meniscal tear of the right knee with parameniscal cyst formation and degenerative osteoarthritis of the left knee, medial compartment with associated varus, was incurred in active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the receipt of new evidence, which requires a VA examination. The issues will be reconsidered after the examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability, including as secondary to his service-connected lumbar spine and sciatic nerve paralysis disabilities, is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee is found to be etiologically related to service, and therefore service connection is granted.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's bilateral hand degenerative arthritis is related to his service-connected shoulder or upper back disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for hypertension, lumbosacral strain, right knee degenerative joint disease, and left knee osteoarthritis. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 40 percent for hypertension prior to September 26, 2008 or for a rating higher than 10 percent for either knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and locating any outstanding private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right hip disability that is etiologically related to his military service. The claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a present disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to his active duty service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back disability, right leg disability (including as secondary to right knee and ankle osteoarthritis), and respiratory disorder. The decision also found that the current ratings for right knee and ankle osteoarthritis were appropriate.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right knee osteoarthritis and residuals of a right shoulder acromioclavicular joint separation prior to May 8, 2012 were denied as there was no evidence showing that the conditions warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, to include arthritis, and thoracolumbar spine disorder are related to or resulted from his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to address his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings of his left knee disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and ensuring that VA examinations are adequate.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current lower back disability is etiologically related to his active service, and therefore service connection for the disability is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been reopened based on new evidence, but the Board has not yet assigned a specific rating for each condition due to ongoing appeals and remands.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent based on limitation of motion, and he has separate 10 percent ratings for his left and right hand degenerative changes.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder was not manifested by limitation of motion for the major arm to shoulder level prior to August 10, 2015. As of August 10, 2015, the disability has been manifested by limitation of motion for the major arm to shoulder level but not to midway between side and shoulder level.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to additional evidence received since the last decision.