Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected lumbar spine osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the current manifestations of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability is aggravated by his service-connected cervical and thoracolumbar spine conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was previously rated at 20% prior to April 15, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for this period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, right knee osteoarthritis, and pes planus. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of PTSD based on DSM-IV standards.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back and right knee disabilities have been remanded by the Board due to additional development being required.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including arthritis, is related to his military service and grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for lumbago and granted service connection for a low back condition, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current disability is related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and hallux valgus, finding no evidence of a link between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right thumb, index finger, and elbow disabilities are related to his service-connected traumatic neuropathy with left claw hand and paralysis of the left median and ulnar nerves. As a result, these conditions have been granted as secondary to his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, is found to be etiologically related to his military service and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's left ankle and knee conditions have been rated based on their current manifestations. The left ankle is currently rated at 10 percent since May 30, 2003, and increased to 20 percent as of February 4, 2016. The left knee has a history of ratings from 10 to 20 percent based on the severity of arthritis and instability. Service connection for left foot arthritis is granted.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred in service and is denied.,Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and tinnitus were granted with effective dates of March 6, 2009.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depressive disorders, not otherwise specified, and PTSD; increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, boutonniere deformity of the right little finger, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, and residuals of a right wrist injury have been denied. The Veteran's claims are currently under appellate status.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10% prior to September 7, 2012 and increased to 20% effective September 7, 2012. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis and service connection for an upper back condition are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder, knee (pre-arthroplasty), hip, and foot heel spur conditions have been granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent from January 1, 2008 to October 17, 2014. The ankle tendonitis has been granted initial disability ratings of 20 percent from January 1, 2008 to October 17, 2014 and 30 percent from October 17, 2014. The lumbar spine degenerative arthritis has been granted a noncompensable rating from January 1, 2008 to March 6, 2017, and a 20 percent rating from March 6, 2017.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate opinion in the May 2013 VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is not service-connected, and his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his left foot condition remains denied.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent since August 28, 2017. The Board finds that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether the symptoms of the Veteran's right ankle disability more nearly approximate marked limitation of motion prior to this date.