Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and depression, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not incurred in or caused by active duty service.

The Veteran's cause of death was attributed to senile degeneration of the brain, with his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine considered a significant contributing factor. The Board granted service connection for the cause of death based on this evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU are remanded due to insufficient evidence of current disability severity, including lack of recent VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone are of sufficient severity to produce unemployability starting from March 1, 2009. Effective date for TDIU is set at March 1, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection was also granted for back disorder, but a remand is required due to inadequate examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disorder and its relation to service. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right foot Morton's neuroma and metatarsalgia are granted as service-connected, while his right foot corns and heel tenderness are denied. For the period prior to April 7, 2016, a disability rating for spondylosis of the lumbar spine is granted at 40 percent, but no higher.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence. However, it denied the claim as there is no direct evidence linking his current left knee disability to his military service.

The Veteran's right eye blindness was not incurred in the line of duty and is denied.,The Veteran's right-hand scar preexisted service and is not aggravated by service, thus denial.,The acquired psychiatric disorders are not related to service and are denied.,Bilateral knee osteoarthritis did not manifest during or within one year after service and is denied.,Bilateral hand osteoarthritis was not shown to be chronic during service and is denied.,Low back disability is not shown to exist currently and is denied.,Neuropathy is not shown to exist currently and is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to failure to report to scheduled VA examinations and because of lack of entitlement under the law. The claims will be reconsidered after new evidence is obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various conditions, including right knee chondromalacia, left knee chondromalacia, cervical strain with degenerative disc disease, radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine. The remand also includes a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for initial and compensable ratings for left hand and right hand degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine has been dismissed as the appellant (through his representative) has withdrawn the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for right foot hallux valgus, traumatic arthropathy, Morton's neuralgia, metatarsalgia, and degenerative osteoarthritis. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions began during active service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that a remand is required to have an examiner supplement the record with a report regarding the current severity of his right knee disability and obtain any missing private records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee degenerative arthritis, diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction, and major depressive disorder. The current disability ratings of 10 percent for each condition are maintained.

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder and sciatica of the left and right legs, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine condition was granted a 20% rating from November 30, 2016. The right forearm condition received an initial 10% rating for painful flexion and a separate 10% rating for limited extension.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his service-connected lumbar spine condition, bilateral knee conditions, and pes planus was dismissed as he withdrew the claim. The appeals for tingling and numbness in the right shoulder and a respiratory disorder were remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current left knee disability is related to service. A VA examination will be required.