Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, left knee degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis), and patellar chondromalacia of the left knee are all service-connected. The neurological disorder of the left shoulder is not service-connected.

The Veteran's back disability, including his congenital partial sacralization of the left L5 vertebra/lumbarization of S1 and degenerative arthritis and Degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board finds that the current back disabilities are not related to active service.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as there is no credible evidence of symptoms during or immediately following service and no medical opinion linking current disability to service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral knee strain, early mild degenerative joint disease/osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees (slight spurring posterior patella), and bilateral ankle strain, claimed as residuals of bilateral leg fractures. The case must be remanded to obtain a supplemental medical opinion addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cause of death, listed as acute respiratory failure due to COPD, was not caused or substantially contributed to by any service-connected condition. The appellant's claim for a heart disability in service is unsubstantiated and speculative.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be secondary to his service-connected unspecified trauma-related disorder.,Service connection for osteoarthritis of the right and left knees has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right knee disability have been granted, with a separate evaluation of 10 percent assigned for symptomatic right knee status post meniscectomy.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded for additional examinations and development. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, to include as due to exposure to an herbicidal agent, have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatic steatosis due to contaminated water exposure at Camp Lejeune was denied. The VA examiner found no causal relationship between the Veteran's current liver condition and his in-service exposure.

The Veteran's cervical spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis is granted service connection. An initial 20 percent rating is granted for residuals of a testicle injury beginning May 13, 2014. The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and bilateral shoulder injuries are remanded for additional examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication of the Veteran's claims, including a review of recent VA examination reports and consideration of any outstanding VA treatment records. The issues will be reconsidered with respect to the evaluation of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and his entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is found to be incurred during service, and he is granted service connection for a disorder of the left shoulder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular rating requirement for assignment of a TDIU and he is reasonably shown to be unable to secure or follow a substantial gainful occupation as a result of these disabilities. The claim for increase in left shoulder disability remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current cervical spine disability that is at least as likely as not causally or etiologically related to his active service, including head trauma. The VA examiner's opinion was against a causal relationship between the in-service injuries and the current cervical spine disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current knee disabilities are not related to his service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the record, including scheduling VA examinations to evaluate his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral ankle disability is caused by his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and therefore grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance is granted effective October 28, 2009. The evidence shows that the Veteran required regular aid and attendance due to multiple disabling conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of new evidence. The claims for an extraschedular disability rating in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder osteoarthritis with biceps tendonitis, and entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) are pending.