Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left foot cyst and left knee disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence does not support a relationship to service.

The Board found no evidence of a current psychiatric disability, specifically PTSD or any other acquired psychiatric disorder, and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. For the lumbar spine disorder, the VA examiner concluded that the condition was less likely than not incurred in or caused by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis, right and left knee strains, and bilateral hip strains are related to service. The Veteran's current foot disabilities (right metatarsalgia and left pes valgus, plantar fasciitis) are also found to be related to service.,The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis, right knee strain, left knee strain, right hip strain, left hip strain, and right foot disability (metatarsalgia), as well as left foot disability (pes valgus and plantar fasciitis).

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 20 percent from April 15, 2010 to June 26, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under diagnostic codes 5237 and 5242.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right arm and shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left foot disability, right foot disability, and generalized arthritis (gout, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis) have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal for these issues during a July 2017 Board hearing.

The Veteran's knee disabilities are rated at the maximum available rating of 20 percent for both knees, with no additional issues related to service connection or exposure basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lower back disorders are related to his active service, including a car accident and football injury during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and requesting an addendum opinion from a qualified physician to address the Veteran's lay assertions regarding abnormal gait caused by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome and left knee osteoarthritis were denied as the evidence did not show that his symptoms resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees or a combined range of motion less than 120 degrees.

The Veteran's left knee meniscectomy with osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, effective September 9, 2009. The Veteran's hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis and duodenal ulcer remains rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of his medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed right and left knee disorders are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death. No claims have been decided.

The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar spine disability, and knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development, including scheduling a new VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral pes planus, bilateral foot disorder (status post removal of ganglion cysts), right knee disorder, left knee disorder, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for consideration of all newly obtained evidence, including VA medical records and any other relevant documents. The claim will be reviewed in light of this new information.

The Veteran's polyarthritis of the hands and feet, including gout affecting the right great toe, is rated at 20 percent since February 2, 2017. The other conditions have been granted increased ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine has been rated at 10 percent since January 1, 2008.