Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left hip disability associated with a left knee strain, including arthritis of the hip and pelvis and a left hip strain, is granted. The effective date will be determined based on when entitlement to this benefit arose.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis and DDD of the lumbar spine are related to his military service, including his duties as a postal clerk. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and osteoarthritis of the right shoulder are related to his active military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hip disability is at least as likely as not related to his period of active service, including playing tennis in service which may have contributed to the development of the condition. As such, the criteria for service connection are met.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and lumbar degenerative joint disease with intervertebral disc syndrome are service-connected, but the Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating for his acromioclavicular joint condition.

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

The Board found that the Veteran's current right ankle and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn by his attorney in a June 2017 letter.

The Board has determined that it is factually ascertainable that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from retaining substantially gainful employment for a period of one year prior to his February 12, 2008 claim. Therefore, an effective date of August 20, 2007, but no earlier, has been granted for the award of TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's malaria claim is denied. The Board finds reasonable doubt in the bilateral tinea pedis (jungle rot) claim and grants service connection. Service connection for residuals of basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer, including as the result of exposure to Agent Orange, is granted. Service connection for actinic keratosis and sebaceous cysts, including as the result of exposure to Agent Orange, is denied. The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease, status post arthroscopic surgery, and lumbar spine condition are found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis and chondrocalcinosis of the right knee, as well as his osteoarthritis of the left knee, are not related to service. The evidence does not show chronicity in service or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's right great toe disability was rated at 10 percent prior to August 22, 2014, and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The other issues were not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, left elbow, right elbow, and right knee disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected chondromalacia of the left knee and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine are currently rated at their maximum levels. The Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to warrant a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease of the hips, but denied service connection for a cervical spine disability. The Veteran's current neck pain is more likely related to fibromyalgia than her arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to his service or service-connected right knee disorder, and thus denied his claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional information and a vocational assessment. The current service-connected left knee disability does not meet the minimum scheduler criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's TBI and right shoulder conditions are found to be related to service, warranting the grant of service connection for both.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the knees and ankles have been denied as there is no evidence that his conditions meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating during the appeal period.