Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, and his bilateral foot arthritis is also rated at 10 percent each. The claims are granted.

The Board granted service connection for metatarsalgia of the right foot with arthritis and metatarsalgia with osteoarthritis of the left first and fifth toes, each rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's low back disability is related to his military service, and he has right ankle arthritis that is also related to his service. The Veteran's right knee disability requires further examination as it may be aggravated by other conditions.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus condition does not require any specific theory of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar strain with degenerative arthritis or cervical spine strain with degenerative changes.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation based on post-surgical convalescence following lumbar spine surgery in November 2005 was denied because the claim was not timely filed, as it was received more than one year after the surgery.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU were denied. The right knee disorder was rated as 10% prior to May 26, 2010 and from that date onwards. The low back disorder was not rated higher than 10%. Extraschedular ratings were also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to service. The Veteran will need a supplemental opinion from an examiner that considers all available records, including private treatment notes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected bilateral knee conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disorder did not develop during service and is not related to his military service. The claim was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to October 23, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for osteoarthritis (other than the right ankle and cervical and lumbar spine) has been denied. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disability remains pending, as does the claim for service connection for a digestive disorder, claimed as GERD.

The Veteran's service connection claims for osteoarthritis of the right and left knees are granted. The claim for an initial compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.

The Board found no claim for service connection prior to February 23, 2005 and thus denied the earlier effective date claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional evidence, including medical records from November 11, 2011 onwards.

The Board has granted service connection for back and neck disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to his military service. The initial ratings have been assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disability, including hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The pre-existing condition of club foot did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis has been manifested by full extension and at least 130 degrees of flexion. The Board found that the disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees, hands, and shoulders. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending as there is insufficient evidence to determine whether it was incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's lower back disorder was not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, seeking addendum opinions from the July 2015 VA examiner regarding the nature and etiology of his right shoulder disorder, bilateral knee disorders, bilateral foot disorders, heart disorder, and bilateral venous insufficiency, and addressing the Veteran's complaints of sciatica in the lower extremities.