Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board found that osteoarthritis of multiple joints, including neck, back, hips and legs, was not incurred or aggravated during service and is not presumed to have been incurred due to a disease or injury in service. The Veteran's neuropathic pain disorder, to include centralized pain syndrome secondary to traumatic brain injury residuals, has also not been linked to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees is not related to his active military service and therefore, denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disabilities, other than congenital lumbarization of S1, did not have their onset in service or are otherwise related to his military service. The Board also determined that these conditions were not secondary to his service-connected left flank shrapnel wound.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's need for a right knee replacement was caused by his in-service right knee conditions, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination for cervical osteoarthritis and left shoulder condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess his right knee and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied service connection for this condition. The claim for an increased rating for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot, ankle and knee disabilities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right foot pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acne vulgaris and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been withdrawn. The remaining issues of service connection are addressed in the remand portion.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing all issues on appeal.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disability from December 19, 2016 to April 18, 2017. The effective date of this decision is April 18, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, dermatitis (claimed as skin rash due to herbicide exposure), residuals of left eye strabismus surgery, and both right and left knee osteoarthritis. The appeals were decided on a direct basis without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's neck disability has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. For TDIU, the Veteran does not meet the schedular requirements as his combined disability rating is less than 70%.

The Veteran's left wrist and elbow disabilities have been granted increased ratings, with the left wrist receiving a 10% rating effective March 11, 2013. The left elbow disability received a 10% rating from February 6, 1992, through March 10, 2013, and a 10% rating on and after March 11, 2013. An effective date of June 14, 2005, was granted for the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development and consideration of whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for TDIU based on extraschedular considerations.

The Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, is related to his military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the Veteran currently has a left hip disability and whether it is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left hip disorder is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and an updated examination.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for nonservice-connected death pension benefits, including special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance (A&A) due to her countable income exceeding the maximum annual limit set by law.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The right eye disability is related to service, the left foot/toe and hip/hand/knee disabilities are all found to be secondary to his service-connected knee disability, and he has a separate 10% rating for atrophy of the left leg due to his knee disability.