Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine and radiculopathies of both lower extremities, result from a common etiology. The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing an addendum medical opinion regarding the relationship between his cervical spine condition and service-connected right shoulder disability. The VA examiner will also provide opinions on whether the Veteran's cervical spine condition was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's right shoulder degenerative arthritis status post-separation and surgical repair with scar, effective from June 2014. The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating prior to that date.

The Veteran's initial rating for her degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was granted at 20 percent, effective January 24, 2009. The Board found that throughout the appeal period, the disability most nearly approximated limitation of forward flexion to 30 degrees.

The Veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis was not manifested by range of motion limited to midway between the side and shoulder level from November 2, 2007 to November 3, 2013. From January 1, 2015 to November 10, 2016 and since February 1, 2017, his left shoulder osteoarthritis was manifested by chronic residuals consisting of severe, painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim to reopen her service connection for scoliosis and also denied her request for an increased rating for her bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, Osgood-Schlatter's disease and osteoarthritis, left knee, and incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve, left lower extremity radiculopathy are being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran withdrew the issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD with MDD during his March 2017 Board hearing.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected scleroderma disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection based on new evidence.

The Veteran's neck and right wrist disabilities are found to be related to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Veteran's back disability, arthritis, and hypertension were not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after his separation from active duty.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability related to service, and concluded that the Veteran's joint pain is not due to his military service.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's neck disorder is related to his active duty service. The examiner opined that any arthritis of the neck is less likely than not incurred in or caused by his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to his in-service injury, and service connection for this condition is granted.,Regarding the left knee disability, the Board finds no nexus between the current diagnosis of patella fracture with chondromalacia and meniscus tear and events in service. Service connection for this issue is denied.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left shoulder arthritis and bilateral wrist arthritis have been withdrawn. Service connection for residuals of a stroke was denied as there is no evidence that the Veteran suffered a stroke in service or within one year post-service, and there is no medical evidence linking his current cerebrovascular disease to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back condition is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right hip and right knee conditions were denied. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or additional functional loss that would warrant higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and treatment records.