Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board finds sufficient evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a psychiatric disorder, with the latter being related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The Veteran is also granted service connection for bilateral lower extremity sciatica.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral frozen foot disability, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied reopening service connection for degenerative arthritis and found that the Veteran is not entitled to TDIU.

The Veteran's sleep apnea, bilateral hip osteoarthritis, and left shoulder rotator cuff disorder are all found to be related to his service-connected left ankle disability. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative osteoarthritis of the right knee is being remanded due to inadequate examination findings. The VA will be requested to arrange for a new VA examination that includes range of motion testing on active and passive motion, as well as weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability, and for obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has decided the appeal is remanded due to the need for an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee condition, including arthritis noted in February 2017. The claim will be readjudicated based on the additional evidence.

The Veteran's knee braces and topical pain medication do not qualify for an annual clothing allowance as they do not cause wear or tear to his clothes, nor does he use medications that stain his clothes.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 60 percent since December 1, 2014. The effective date for this rating is June 29, 2010.,The Veteran's left hip strain has an effective date of June 29, 2010.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, effective from November 10, 2010. The rating reflects that her range of motion was limited to greater than 30 but not greater than 60 degrees in flexion.

The Board denied service connection for right elbow cellulitis and granted service connection for PTSD. The issue of acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability did not have its onset in service and is not caused by or related to his active military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral shin splints has been withdrawn. The remaining issues of increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and PTSD are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right thigh scars are not rated compensable, but his service connection for a right knee disability is granted. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current right knee condition was incurred during active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his herniated lumbosacral spine condition, cervical spine arthritis, and left shoulder arthritis have been denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized as degenerative arthritis and rotator cuff tendonitis, did not manifest during service or within one year of separation from service. The most probative evidence does not establish a nexus between his current condition and his active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the lower back and arthritis of the neck, finding that new and material evidence had been submitted. The Board then granted service connection for both conditions.,Service connection was established for arthritis of the lower back (arthritis of the spine) due to a VA examiner's opinion linking it to the Veteran's in-service duties as a loadmaster.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion, and a separate 10 percent evaluation is granted for limitation of extension. No higher evaluations are warranted.