Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip osteoarthritis is related to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left and right knee disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not otherwise directly related to his period of active duty. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that it was proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine and right shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for headaches has been granted, with the highest available rating of 50 percent effective from July 2006. The remaining claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's current right shoulder, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disabilities are found to be proximately caused by his service-connected right foot, left foot, and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated as 10 percent prior to June 12, 2009. The Board found that the evidence did not show symptoms approximating more than malunion of the tibia and fibula with slight knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disabilities, including osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease, are not caused by his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected knee and shoulder disabilities. The issues include seeking higher initial ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, clarifying the use of a goniometer in a previous examination, and providing another VA examination to assess his cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tear and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, as well as his bilateral knee degenerative joint disease (arthritis), are related to service. The appeals for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral knee disability. The Board previously denied the claim, and the case was remanded multiple times due to incomplete development. The most recent remand required an examination considering all in-service knee injuries, including those documented in the July 1974 service treatment record.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome was granted, effective February 21, 2013. The initial evaluation is now 40 percent.,Right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the service-connected lumbosacral strain has been rated at 20 percent since February 21, 2013.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to February 21, 2013 was granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right lower extremity disabilities, including a right knee disability and osteoarthritis in his hip, are not related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records, identify any relevant private treatment records, and schedule him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right knee disability and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of the service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine. The Veteran will need to undergo an orthopedic examination and provide updated medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hand disability did not have its onset in service and was not otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection for residuals of a right hand injury is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA Vocational Rehabilitation records. The claims for higher ratings for radiculopathy are also being remanded as they are inextricably intertwined with the claim for a higher rating for degenerative disc disease associated with osteoarthritis L4-5 and L5-S1.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral foot condition, including flat feet, osteoarthritis, bunions, and hallux valgus, is related to service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip and knee disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during his active duty or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to an in-service injury. The most probative medical opinion found that the current disabilities are more likely due to the Veteran's age and obesity.