Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% likelihood that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine began during his military service and continues to this day. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is not service-connected, as it did not manifest during service or due to a service-connected condition. The examiner found no evidence of an in-service injury and concluded that the degenerative changes were age-related.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and right arm numbness, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, pes planus, and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination and completion of the VA Form 21-8940. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated based on the updated information.

The Veteran's left knee disability was found to be manifested by noncompensable limitation of motion, dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking and pain, and slight lateral instability. The VA determined that the current ratings were appropriate for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to secure and follow any form of substantially gainful employment prior to May 13, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left shoulder disorders were denied as the evidence did not show that the conditions warranted a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's mechanical low back pain prior to July 18, 2016 was manifested by chronic pain and limited forward flexion to at most 60 degrees. The Board found that the disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's residuals of a fracture of the right tibia and fibula were rated 20 percent from September 3, 2008 to April 15, 2013; 20 percent from April 16, 2013 to August 13, 2014; and 30 percent on and after August 14, 2014. The Veteran's scars were rated 20 percent from September 3, 2008 to April 15, 2013; 30 percent from April 16, 2013 to August 13, 2014; and 40 percent on and after August 14, 2014. The Veteran's claims were granted.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his current left knee disability is related to his military service, and denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected low back and right knee disabilities. The issues on appeal are whether the Veteran is entitled to increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, posttraumatic arthrosis of the right foot, and degenerative arthritis of the left knee was denied. The Veteran's current disabilities are rated based on their functional impact.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the left and right knees are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further proceedings due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee and leg disability did not begin during service, was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition, and is not otherwise related to military service. The claims for increased ratings were also denied as there was no evidence of worsening since January 3, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying specific dates of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA, obtaining VA medical examination in conjunction with the claim, and providing a supplemental medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right elbow conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, a left knee disability, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the case is dismissed.