Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, effective September 9, 2015. A separate rating for right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy as neurological manifestations of the service connected low back disability are also warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for right great toe osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and development.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), fever outbreak, sleep apnea, sero-negative polyarthritis, and traumatic brain injury, were not found to be related to service or service-connected conditions. The Board denied these claims as the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not manifest within one year of separation from service and could not be presumed to have been incurred during active service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected right hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis of the right first metatarsophalangeal joint, status post bunionectomy, decompression of the deep peroneal nerve, and neurectomy was denied. The Board found that she is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shin splints was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The claims for sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome are dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's right hip disability, including osteoarthritis and total right hip arthroplasty with residuals, is found to be service-connected. The Board also granted service connection for left hip, back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities as secondary to the right hip disability.

The Board has determined that further examination and development are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and ankle disorders, as well as his claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's upper and lower back disorders, left knee disorder, right hip and left hip disorders as secondary to his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease. The effective date is August 25, 2008.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee disorders did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to military service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right hand disability, including degenerative arthritis in multiple digits, is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board is remanding the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current right hip disability. The Veteran's claim will be returned to the AOJ after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of the issues related to service connection for various conditions, including tinea, bilateral hand arthritis, shoulder bursitis, elbow bursitis, wrist degenerative arthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, lumbar spondylosis, right knee osteoarthritis, and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, a foot disability other than pes planus, and left eye blindness have been denied as the evidence does not support these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, have rendered him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and the retrieval of relevant medical records.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic hand disorder in service or within one year after separation, and the Veteran's current bilateral hand disability is not related to his active duty service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back and neck disabilities are service-connected as they were incurred during his active military service.,The VA examiner provided multiple addendums to the November 2012 examination, concluding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of DDD of the low back and osteoarthritis of the neck are not related to his in-service activities.