Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, considering the impairment from the disorders and his educational and employment history.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case on his service connection claim for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and because he missed his scheduled videoconference hearing. His initial compensable rating claim for asbestosis with pleural plaques remains under review.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need for a VA examination and an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's back disability.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 10 percent for painful, nonlimited motion in both right and left knees from September 1, 1993 to November 1, 2011.

The Veteran's headaches and cervical strain were granted initial compensable ratings, with the headache rating increased to 50% effective December 9, 2009. The right upper radicular nerve group associated with his cervical spine disability was also granted a separate 20% rating.

The Veteran's ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, hand, and back disabilities are not service-connected. Early onset peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is also not service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, including as secondary to a service-connected back disability, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient detail in the March 2016 VA examination report and the need to consider secondary service connection for a right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and development of her claims, including a TDIU claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not related to his service-connected disabilities. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine syringomyelia. The issue of service connection for degenerative disc disease and arthritis of the lumbar spine is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability other than chronic gastritis, to include IBS, and for degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee. The Veteran is entitled to an SOC regarding his claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right shoulder disability and post-surgical scar are being remanded to allow for further development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to April 8, 2015 and did not meet criteria for any of the requested increased ratings.

The Veteran's left knee DJD, right shoulder disability (including DJD), and left foot disability are all found to be service-connected. The initial compensable rating for residuals of a left shoulder injury is granted, while the claim for an increased rating for cervical spine disability prior to September 26, 2014 and from that date remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder and tinnitus are not related to his military service.,Service connection for a left knee disorder is denied as there is no evidence of chronic left knee problems during or within one year after service, and the current condition is more likely due to aging and wear and tear.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to comply with recent case law regarding range of motion testing.

The Veteran's combined rating for right wrist injury residuals, including osteoarthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, was granted at a 70 percent level effective February 2, 2015. The appeal as to the separate rating for carpal tunnel syndrome has been withdrawn.

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