Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's right-sided Bell's palsy is found to have its onset during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis is also found to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, combined with other disabilities, does not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the right wrist and left forearm were denied by the RO. The Board found that the current rating assigned adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected right wrist disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of lumbar degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, and cervical degenerative disc disease are related to his active duty service. The Board finds that these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as his bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, are not service-connected. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all issues, including service connection for a left hip disability and increased ratings for various joints and hypertension. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral knee, left ankle, and right shoulder disabilities are service-connected.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to care for his daily needs, requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board finds SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance is warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current disability of the lumbar spine, diagnosed as chronic strain and degenerative arthritis with left lower extremity radiculopathy, is due to injury in service. As such, the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease, was incurred in active service. However, it denied service connection for COPD (claimed as residuals of bronchopneumonia, left lower lobe) due to lack of competent medical evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and is related to his active duty noise exposure.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus secondary to Agent Orange exposure remains pending as requested information regarding proximity to herbicides was not obtained.

The Board has determined that there is at least equipoise evidence to support the claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the low back, and thus grants this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his right knee disability, ensuring all pertinent private treatment records are associated with the file, and readjudicating the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is granted, with a TDIU being awarded due to his service-connected disabilities. The other claims remain pending and require further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, which was cardiopulmonary arrest and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety disorder NOS and polysubstance abuse, is related to his active duty service. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous instructions and for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection, and his knee disabilities were denied increased ratings. The case is remanded for further development.