Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and glaucoma are not related to his active duty service, and thus denies these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder/arm, right calf, and cervical spine disabilities. The decision also addressed a claim for an increased rating for post-operative right ankle residuals and a request for extension of a temporary total rating based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2 was managed with diet only during the initial rating period. For the entire rating period, his right and left knee disabilities have been manifested by painful, noncompensable limitation of motion with stiffness, crepitation, and frequent episodes of pain, locking, and effusion. The Veteran's TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to noncompliance with the directives of a previous remand. The case will be reviewed for additional development and readjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination regarding his right knee disability, as he testified that it has worsened since his last VA examination in June 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected cervical spine, right foot disabilities, and multiple scars on the right thumb. The reduction in the rating for the service-connected right shoulder disability from 20 percent to 10 percent effective May 26, 2011 was found to be proper.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder. Resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish that his current low back disorders are related to his period of active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board will dismiss the appeal of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination. The issues are whether he should receive an increased rating for his service-connected tibia and fibula fracture, and if he qualifies for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits information. The case will be reviewed again after the additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracic and lumbar spine disability most likely contributed to his loss of use of his feet, which meets the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND that follows.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected muscle tension headaches, neurological complications of the lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc disease, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, left knee strain, right knee strain, left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, and right knee strain with degenerative arthritis have all been denied. The Veteran is currently receiving the maximum schedular evaluation for his muscle tension headaches.

The Board found that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis in her left knee is not related to an injury during service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for osteoarthritis of the hands, elbows, and back, as well as erectile dysfunction.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and osteoarthritis, as well as left shoulder supraspinatus tendinosis and acromioclavicular joint degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to her active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed left knee disability, and his service-connected lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher ratings. The Veteran's tinea pedis is rated appropriately, as are his hearing loss and CTS. His acquired psychiatric disorder, right ankle condition, and head injury with headaches and myofascial pain syndrome do not warrant increased ratings. Finally, the Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to September 5, 2013 were rated at a combined 90 percent. Considering the totality of his service-connected conditions and their impact on his ability to work, these disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.