Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current plantar fasciitis of the left foot and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The issue regarding an increased rating for her lumbar spine disability remains pending.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher disability evaluation. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was also addressed but is noted as part of the remand portion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities have been granted, with a rating of 20 percent each.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability warrants a higher initial rating of 20 percent, effective April 2, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain inpatient service treatment records, provide the Veteran with VA medical examinations and opinions, and obtain relevant outstanding post-service treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine as secondary to treatment for service-connected ulcerative colitis.

The Veteran contends that his current right shoulder disorder is due to a fall associated with his service-connected left knee disorder. The Board has decided the case should be remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claim for increased rating of lumbar spine disability was also denied.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, residuals of L4-L5 discectomy, is rated at 40 percent and his osteoarthritis of the right and left knees are each rated at 10 percent. The current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 30 percent since February 1, 2013. The rating is based on the current range of motion and symptoms associated with his total knee replacement.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine did not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities meet the criteria for a 20 percent rating each, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee and a pre-existing right knee disorder that was aggravated by military service. The hearing loss claim is not addressed as it does not involve service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for TDIU and service connection for sleep apnea, finding no clear and unmistakable error in the October 2000 rating decision. The claim for SMC based on need for aid and attendance was remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's back disability. The claim will be adjudicated again after the additional development is completed.

The Veteran's hip disability is found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. The Board has granted a rating of 10% for the right knee strain, but denied the claims for increased ratings and service connection for the right foot and ankle.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for an eye condition manifested by loss of vision as secondary to diabetes mellitus and granted a 20% disability rating. The claims for bilateral shoulder pain, right and left knee disabilities, and cervical spondylosis have been denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the appeal was dismissed due to his death.