Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis of the right knee joint status post surgery, is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis, and retrolisthesis, is related to his in-service motor vehicle accident. The Board also finds that bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy is secondary to the service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and osteoarthritis of the bilateral foot are related to service, with new evidence received since previous decisions raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected right foot plantar fasciitis, left knee degenerative arthritis with subluxation, and right knee degenerative arthritis with subluxation due to incomplete examination reports. The claims are now before the Board for further review.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder sprain and osteoarthritis, as well as his left shoulder sprain, are service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to conduct another VA examination due to the lack of range of motion testing in the previous examination. Additional medical records are also requested.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disorder, finding no current disability. However, the Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as her combined rating of 90% supports this decision.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left, little finger fracture and scars from lipoma removal on his arms.

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of her claims for higher ratings in multiple service-connected conditions, and the Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's right hip disability, including osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, is found to be related to his combat service. The claim for residuals of a shrapnel wound to the right leg other than a right hip disability will need further examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability. He contends that he should be afforded a higher evaluation based on symptoms such as continuous pain, instability, and fatigue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his left and right knee disabilities. The AOJ should also obtain any outstanding VA medical records.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA medical examination and opinion to determine if the Veteran's left hip disorder is related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically right knee arthroplasty, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, and right shoulder impingement syndrome with glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, bilateral knee disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities have been evaluated at 20 percent each, with no higher ratings warranted based on the current evidence of record.