Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for lower back and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not have onset during his active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Board has denied service connection for skin disorders, thyroid conditions, and heart disabilities due to herbicide exposure. The claims for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and right eye condition are remanded as there is insufficient evidence on record.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine osteoarthritis with degenerative disc disease was denied prior to August 12, 2016. From August 12, 2016 to October 27, 2016, he received a 20% rating for the condition. After that date, his claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses of bilateral knee osteoarthritis are not related to in-service injuries or events.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, left ankle degenerative arthritis, and right ankle degenerative arthritis are being remanded for further evaluation due to a worsening of symptoms since the last VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for IBS, left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, hypertension, and migraine headaches. The issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, bipolar disorder, and denied service connection for headaches, bilateral hip conditions, and diabetes. The rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to clarify the specific symptoms attributable to his diagnosed bilateral pes cavus and osteoarthritis.

All appeals for service connection and increased ratings are withdrawn. The Veteran's adjustment disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected headaches.,The Veteran’s degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its etiology, including potential aggravation by a work-related injury in 1999.

The Board has granted service connection for hallux valgus and osteoarthritis of the left great toe, finding that symptoms began during active duty service and have been continuous since separation. The decision is based on a combination of in-service complaints and post-service x-ray evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability did not manifest during service and is not related to his in-service injury, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee prior to September 18, 2017 and an evaluation in excess of 40 percent thereafter is granted. The issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 100 percent for COPD on and after May 9, 2018 remains pending.

The Veteran's mild osteoarthritis and disc space disease of the lumbar spine is remanded for a supplemental opinion to determine if it is at least as likely as not related to his active duty or any incidents therein.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis is related to or aggravated by his service-connected back and knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is related to his active service and grants entitlement to service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left knee disability, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the back, hips, wrists and ankles, a left rotator cuff injury, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis of both thumbs, a hiatal hernia, fungus, left great toe and subsequent surgery, and cellulitis, left thigh have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right hip, status-post total hip replacement; chronic right wrist pain; degenerative arthritis of the left hip, including as secondary to nonservice-connected disability of the right hip; flat feet; hepatitis C; residuals of venereal disease (including herpes); and erectile dysfunction have been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for degenerative arthritis of the spine, left knee, and right knee are denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disease in service or within the applicable presumptive period.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied due to lack of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis is related to his service-connected fibromyalgia and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete service records and the need for a new medical opinion. The Veteran's back disability is being reviewed again.