Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD does not cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, thus denying entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability and granted it, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a nexus between the current disability and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral sensorineural hearing loss is related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition. However, the Board found insufficient evidence linking the Veteran's degenerative arthritis lumbar spine to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and right hip disability, to include osteoarthritis, are not service-connected as they did not develop during his active duty or due to a pre-existing condition aggravated by service. The Veteran's current conditions were more likely related to post-service events.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records from SGHS. The Veteran's claim will be readjudicated after this development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability and finds that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also grants service connection for the Veteran's left knee disability, finding that it was aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has been rated at 20 percent since June 20, 2017. The Board found that the criteria for a higher evaluation were not met prior to this date.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis are found to be related to a period of INACDUTRA during service, resulting in service connection.,Major depressive disorder is found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, leading to service connection for this condition.,Left leg numbness (sciatica) is found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, resulting in service connection.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional treatment records and reevaluate the Veteran's cervical spine disability. The appeal is currently pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred in service and did not demonstrate onset during the first year after service. The Board also determined that it is less likely than not that his cervical spine disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations to address the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA Form 21-8940 and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right shoulder disability. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disorder is also referred for adjudication.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and an eye disorder, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.,The Board also found that the Veteran's countable income exceeded the maximum annual pension rate limit set by law.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right knee disorder, including osteochondritis dissecans. The evidence now shows that the Veteran's pre-existing condition existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service or any incident in service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for hypertensive vascular disease with hypertension and osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees, ankles, and wrists. As a result, the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and residuals of a previous meniscectomy, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has granted the requested increased rating for the osteoarthritis but denied the request for a separate rating for the residual condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected traumatic degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied as there is no evidence that it meets or approximates the criteria for an increased disability rating.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability has not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to October 20, 2017, and in excess of 30 percent from that date.