Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that the Veteran's disability of the right thumb and hand, including post-traumatic arthritis, is service-connected as it is at least in equipoise with evidence showing its onset during military service.

The Veteran's DDD with osteoarthritis (claimed as cervical spine condition) and right shoulder strain have been granted service connection.,Service connection has also been granted for left shoulder strain with impingement, which is considered secondary to the Veteran’s DDD with osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right knee was denied as there is no evidence showing flexion limited to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees, which are required for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee and right knee impairments, and right shoulder impairment. The issues are related to exposure during his service in Iraq and Saudi Arabia due to Gulf War Syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not etiologically related to his service-connected left calf muscle injury, left posterior tibial nerve impairment, and/or left ankle strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly pension based on housebound status and need for aid and attendance due to lack of evidence showing he is unable to perform daily activities or requires regular assistance from another person.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right knee disability due to new and material evidence. The issues of increased ratings for left knee degenerative arthritis and instability, as well as rating for left total knee replacement are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to a lack of adequate consideration in previous decisions, particularly regarding the relationship between his current low back disability and an in-service motor vehicle accident. The claims are now before the RO for further development.

The appeal for service connection for hypertension has been dismissed. The appeals for service connection for osteoarthritis of the low back, a left hip condition (to include as secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right hip), bilateral hearing loss, and renal condition are all remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a disability of the second digit of the right hand, finding that there was no evidence of such a condition during service or within one year thereafter. The Veteran's current aching in the second finger is not shown to be causally related to his service-connected third metacarpal phalanx joint disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate rationale in previous VA examinations and a need for additional development.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees remain at 10 percent, effective October 1, 2011.,Separate 10 percent ratings are granted for symptomatic residuals of removal of semilunar cartilage in both knees.

The Veteran's right total hip replacement was granted a 70% rating starting from March 20, 2019. The condition is rated under the 'direct' service connection theory as it is not linked to any specific exposure or presumption.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to deficiencies in the medical opinion provided. The Veteran's knee disabilities are being reviewed again with a new examiner who will consider his service-related injuries and lay statements.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet and osteoarthritis of the left and right feet were denied an increased rating in excess of 30 percent.,Service connection for patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees was denied, with new evidence submitted to reopen the claims.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, but further development is needed including obtaining Social Security records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for a neck disability and radiculopathy of the upper extremities, finding that these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease due to inadequate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right knee and lumbar spine disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the symptoms reported by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates and increased ratings for his cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities was granted.,Ankylosing spondylitis of the cervical spine and ankylosing spondylitis and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were awarded service connection with effective dates of October 20, 2015. The Veteran's increased rating for his cervical spine disability was also granted.