Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is at least as likely as not caused by or related to his military service, specifically an injury he sustained during service. The Board also finds in favor of granting service connection for left thumb osteoarthritis and a left elbow disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back condition is substantially due to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and depression, which caused obesity. As a result, the claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is granted.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right shoulder scar, effective July 16, 2015. The Veteran is also entitled to an initial compensable rating for his right shoulder disability prior to that date.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, including those regarding the issues of service connection and exposure basis.

The Veteran's death was caused by a stroke, which the VA doctor opined was due to his service-connected type II diabetes with peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities and medication for ischemic heart disease. The Board grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. However, there is no evidence in the file at the date of death that would have supported a claim for accrued benefits.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent since June 20, 2016. This rating is based on the presence of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disabilities, including arthritis and a total knee replacement, did not manifest within one year of separation from service and were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees and low back did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not shown to be causally related to an in-service event, injury or disease. The preponderance of evidence supports a finding that there was no in-service incurrence or aggravation of a disease or injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with a 30 percent rating assigned for the left shoulder disability effective November 17, 2016.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for his left knee conditions prior to June 13, 2011 and since August 1, 2012 was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the appellant's current bilateral foot disability, characterized by plantar fasciitis, calcaneal spurs, and degenerative arthritis, was caused or aggravated by his active service. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity, finding that there was no evidence of complete paralysis or other signs of severe incomplete paralysis. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's current right knee condition, including osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease with loose bodies of the anterior knee, is related to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current disability in any of these conditions as per VA standards. For PTSD, the Board found that the Veteran's stressor was credible and linked to his military service. However, for bilateral hearing loss and bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees, the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's back disability has been rated at 20 percent since April 10, 2017. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating were not met.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip osteoarthritis and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, finding that his symptoms were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions. The Veteran was also unable to establish a diagnosis of CFS based on the submitted medical articles.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right elbow tendonitis and epicondylitis were aggravated during active service.,The Board also finds that the Veteran's right shoulder tendonitis and biceps bursitis were incurred in active service.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for both his heart disability and arthritic condition claims. The Board found no current diagnosis of a heart disability, and the Veteran did not have an arthritic disorder that began during service or is otherwise related to service.