Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Board found that the appellant's current low back conditions are not directly related to his service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not service-connected, and his claim for a higher evaluation of his left ring finger disability remains denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability has not been manifested by flexion limited to 30 degrees, moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, or extension limited to 15 degrees. As such, the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Codes 4.71a, 5260, and 5261 have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine disability, and for obtaining any relevant treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered based on the updated evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right first metatarsal joint with degenerative arthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, right hip and left hip osteoarthritis as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is proximately due or the result of his service-connected left knee disability, considering overcompensation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service. The appeal for a higher initial rating for his left thumb disorder and TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated as 10 percent prior to January 30, 2013, and denied for a higher rating. Since January 30, 2013, the disability has not met the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional records and a completed VA Form 21-8940 application.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee, ankle disabilities, dental trauma to teeth #6, #7, #8, and #9 have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a higher initial rating for his lumbar radiculopathy with sciatica (RLE) and insomnia disorder with chronic pain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection based on exposure to chemicals and/or environmental hazards in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule a VA examination for his right ankle disability. The issues of increased ratings for bipolar disorder, knee osteoarthritis, and initial rating for the right ankle sprain are also pending.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic cough and assigned a 20 percent rating for the back disability. Other disabilities have been rated based on their specific criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed knee disabilities, including arthritis and osteoarthritis with medial capsulitis and degenerative meniscus tear of the right knee, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right hip disorder (chondromalacia) is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,The Veteran's GERD is secondary to prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) taken for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of osteoarthritis and arthritic changes of the hands and feet are not related to service, including exposure to cold weather in Korea. The claims for service connection have been denied.