Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are secondary to his service-connected shoulder disabilities. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability is also being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder and a bilateral foot disorder other than pes planus have been reopened, with the new evidence showing that these conditions may be related to his military service. The claim is granted in part.

The Veteran's left knee disability has worsened, and he is unable to perform prolonged standing and walking due to his pain. The case is being remanded for an examination to determine the severity of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board dismissed the appeal for an evaluation greater than 40 percent for degenerative disc disease and facet osteoarthritis status post lumbar laminectomy due to the Veteran's withdrawal of her appeal. The remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations for right knee degenerative arthritis with meniscus tear, left knee scar, and allergic rhinitis with recurrent sinusitis was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for the right knee disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left knee osteoarthritis prior to January 16, 2014 was rated at 20 percent, while the left knee status-post total arthroplasty since March 1, 2015 is rated at 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and lumbar spine as there was no evidence showing these conditions were first manifested in service or within one year after service, and the VA examiners opined that any current disabilities are less likely caused by service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is remanded due to insufficient prior examinations and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left foot disorder has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The case is being remanded for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury, including a torn biceps tendon and a torn rotator cuff, as well as a torn meniscus of the left knee. Service connection was denied for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including new VA examinations to address his lay statements and medical records regarding his back condition and right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability, specifically whether it is related to his service-connected left knee disability or if it was aggravated by that condition.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left fourth finger fracture and left-hand osteoarthritis, finding no evidence of injury or disability during service and insufficient evidence to link current conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting findings in a previous VA examination regarding range of motion loss. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for osteoarthritis of the right knee with loss of extension prior to March 23, 2016 is now before the RO again.

The Veteran's low back disability characterized as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome is granted. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for readjudication of all evidence added since the last Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and DJD are granted service connection based on the chronicity of symptoms since service. The left hip arthralgia and trochanteric bursitis are not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease with IVDS was denied a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to March 16, 2018 and a rating in excess of 40 percent from that date onwards.,The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee was denied a higher than 10 percent rating throughout the appeal period.,The Veteran's left ankle strain was denied a higher than 10 percent rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of the right hip are granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee and left hip disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle, right hip, and left knee disabilities are aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability. As a result, these conditions have been granted as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability.