Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's acromioclavicular osteoarthritis of the left shoulder was found to be incurred in service, and his thoracolumbar osteoarthritis with IVDS is granted. The issue regarding an increased rating for right shoulder condition has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including new examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis, erosive esophagitis and degenerative arthritis cervical spine with disc bulging C5-6 without cord compression.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings remain on appeal. The RO must consider all of the evidence received since the issuance of the May 2015 supplemental statement of the case and issue a rating decision to implement the grant of an increased disability evaluation of 10 percent for the service-connected multi-level degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a 20 percent disability for the anterior reconstruction and arthroscopic surgery of the left shoulder, effective April 23, 2015.

Effective August 15, 2013, the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent due to forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy (radiculopathy), and bilateral hip arthritis have been evaluated based on their respective diagnostic codes. The claims for higher ratings are denied as the evidence does not support a finding that the conditions more nearly approximate the criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a disability of the right leg, including osteoarthritis of the right knee, linked to disease or injury incurred or aggravated in active service. The rating for the right fifth metatarsal fracture was granted but at a lower level than initially requested.

The Veteran's claims for assistance with the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment, as well as specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant, were denied due to lack of entitlement based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, and left ankle did not have its onset during service or is otherwise causally related to his active service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all issues on appeal are dismissed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to a 90 percent disability rating, rendering him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left index finger disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective August 26, 2009. The Board finds that the criteria for a 10 percent rating have been met.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee and left knee are granted as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and hip disability are also granted as secondary to service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for entitlement to service connection for obesity, claimed as secondary to a service-connected back disability due to additional development being needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right ankle disability was found to be moderate prior to March 24, 2017, but marked thereafter. The left ankle disability did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. There is no evidence of gastrointestinal disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing all issues on appeal except for entitlement to an increased rating of his low back disability. The claim for TDIU was raised in conjunction with this issue.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request in a letter dated April 2017.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and consideration of his claims due to the potential change in severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to bring his combined rating to 90 percent, with at least one disability rated 40 percent or higher; these service-connected disabilities preclude the Veteran from maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination of his right knee disabilities and consideration of the TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee and hip disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his in-service fall and subsequent development of these conditions. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim was also denied due to lack of credible supporting evidence for an in-service stressor.