Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's current condition is presumed to have been incurred in service, as there is a showing of continuous symptoms since discharge.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back and right leg disabilities are not related to service, as there is no evidence of chronic symptoms during or within one year after service. The diagnoses provided by VA examiners were inconsistent with the preexisting condition determinations made at service entrance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right hip, bilateral ankle, and bilateral foot disabilities are secondary to his service-connected left varicose vein disability and chronic lumbar strain.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including right shoulder, left shoulder, left elbow, lumbosacral spine, left knee, and right knee conditions, are not related to his military service. The acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD) is also not found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete examinations, lack of consideration of extraschedular considerations, and other procedural issues. The case is now pending further development.

The Board has remanded this case due to inadequate development and the need for a new medical opinion regarding service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination reports, and additional development is required.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his period of active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, and for increased ratings for his right shoulder disability and right knee degenerative arthritis were denied. The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for additional examination and development due to assertions of increased severity since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his cervical spine disability and etiology of his thoracolumbar spine and left leg radiculopathy disabilities, and assessing whether he meets the schedular requirements for entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, effective from September 18, 2015. The Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis has been granted service connection. The Veteran's liver disorder was denied as not related to his military service.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's scoliosis of the thoracolumbar spine is service-connected, as it was not shown to be congenital and first manifested during active service. The Board also finds that the Veteran's IVDS with degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is less likely than not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected scoliosis.

The Veteran's right hip disability is found to be secondary to his service-connected back disability. However, there is no evidence of a left hip disability or bilateral foot disability that is related to his service-connected back disability.

The Board denied a rating higher than 10 percent for bilateral pes planus, finding that the Veteran's condition did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is mixed, with some issues granted and others not. The initial compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied, but the claims for service connection for spina bifida occulta with osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and hypertension were partially reopened.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to service, as there was no aggravation of a preexisting condition during active duty. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his bilateral knee disabilities, including seeking higher initial ratings and a TDIU. The case is being remanded for additional development.