Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's current diagnosis of right knee osteoarthritis is related to his in-service injury, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain missing STRs and to provide a VA examination to determine the etiology of his lumbar spine, bilateral knee, bilateral hip, and bilateral foot disabilities.

The Veteran's upper and low back disabilities are found to be related to service, while his right knee and foot disabilities are also found to be related to service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis was first diagnosed during active duty service and is presumed to have been incurred in service. The right knee disability and low back disability are not directly related to service, but may be caused or aggravated by the service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine are related to his military service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's medical conditions do not meet the criteria for SMP benefits based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board denied a higher initial evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating prior to December 16, 2014 and since then.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including instability and osteoarthritis, was rated at 30 percent disabling from August 1, 2014 to the present. The rating is based on chronic residuals of a total knee replacement with intermediate degrees of residual weakness and pain.

The Veteran's lower back disability is currently rated at 60 percent effective November 6, 2012. He also receives a TDIU from November 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected right knee disability and left knee disability were denied. The Veteran's right knee was rated based on traumatic osteoarthritis with torn medial meniscus, while the left knee was rated at 30 percent since December 1, 2013.

The Board denied entitlement to ratings higher than 10 percent for bilateral knee disabilities since August 30, 2012.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right hand disability is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right foot conditions, including osteoarthritis, plantar fasciitis, and metatarsalgia, are being remanded for further examination to determine if they are related to his service-connected thoracolumbar spondylolisthesis with spondylolysis and degenerative changes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. The claim for secondary service connection for bilateral lower extremity disability is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or continuity of symptomatology since service. The reduction of the Veteran's TBI rating from 10 percent to non-compensable was improper, and the 10 percent rating is restored.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of service connection for cervical spine, right lower extremity condition, left lower extremity condition, and lumbosacral spine conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right shoulder sprain with osteoarthritis and degenerative changes of the lumbosacral spine are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records, providing a new VA examination, and considering all evidence.

The Veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his claims for right shoulder disability and acquired psychiatric disability (claimed as depression), are being remanded due to incomplete development. The issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is also being remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding no evidence of onset during or within one year after service. The Veteran's current osteoarthritis was attributed to his years of naval service.,Service connection for COPD was also denied as the Board found no direct link between the Veteran's military service and his condition.