Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for left and right shoulder chronic dislocations with osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are continuous since service separation.

The Board finds that osteoarthritis of the right knee is related to service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease, and grants the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis was incurred in active service, and thus granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis was initially rated and the RO granted service connection for status post total left and right knee arthroplasty. The RO increased his ratings to 60 percent effective October 23, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to an increased rating for a low back disability and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The RO should issue a supplemental statement of the case with regard to these issues.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant's request for withdrawal of all issues.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability. As such, any VCAA error related to this claim is moot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private medical records, scheduling the Veteran for a VA orthopedic examination to assess his current knee disabilities, and considering the claims on remand.

The Veteran's service-connected right hip disability resulted in painful motion and degenerative arthritis, warranting a 10% rating prior to November 7, 2014. For the entire appeal period, his right hip disability did not meet criteria for higher ratings. The Veteran's right great toe disability was rated as noncompensable throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal for the issue of entitlement to a rating for degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis and spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine in excess of 40 percent prior to February 7, 2012 and since April 1, 2012.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis, lumbar strain, grade one L4-L5 spondylolysthesis, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine based on a finding that the disability is related to his active duty service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective October 15, 2008. Service connection for a right wrist disability and a right shoulder disability are denied. The Veteran's service-connected left knee and right knee disabilities each receive a separate 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for his knee disabilities were denied by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with an opportunity to submit or authorize VA to obtain private medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered in combination, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn as to the claims for higher initial disability ratings for left ankle degenerative arthritis, left ear hearing loss, chronic pansinusitis, allergic rhinitis, traumatic brain injury, and post-concussive headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his active service, including his military duties and a 1993 automobile accident. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for chronic residuals from bilateral fractures of the feet, which he claims occurred during his military service. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased initial evaluations for bilateral knee disabilities is being remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, conduct a supplemental medical opinion, and readjudicate the claims.