Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder, including osteoarthritis of the right knee, was incurred in and caused by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected left hip osteoarthritis was granted a 30 percent rating from October 1, 2011. The appeal is resolved in the Veteran's favor.

The Board found that the reduction from a 10 percent evaluation to zero percent for the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis status post-surgical repair, based on limitation of extension, effective April 1, 2011, was improper and restored the 10 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disability, including degenerative arthritis and disc disease, is not related to his service. The evidence does not show a chronic or continuous symptomatology of a low back disability during active service or continuously since service separation.

The Veteran's prostate condition, including prostatitis and prostate cancer, is presumed to be due to in-service exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's multiple non-service-connected disabilities, including hernias with progression to an intestinal fistula and arthritis of multiple joints, render her helpless or so nearly helpless that she requires the regular aid and attendance of another person for special monthly pension purposes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's right knee strain with instability has been rated at 10 percent since January 1, 2007 and before July 5, 2011.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been denied. The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding service connection for psoriasis/skin spots, an initial compensable rating for osteoarthritis of the right hand, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right foot surgery with hallux rigidus and gout (claimed as right foot hammer toe). The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for cervical degenerative disc disease has been denied. His claims have not yet been adjudicated.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and traumatic brain injury residuals are related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The VA examiner found no relationship between the Veteran's low back disorder and his service-connected right knee disability, concluding that the Veteran's low back disorder is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and residuals of head trauma, finding that his injuries were not due to willful misconduct.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability contributed substantially to his death from metastate cancer. Therefore, service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is granted.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain an addendum opinion from the September 2013 VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis. The examiner should address whether it is at least as likely as not that the disability is related to active duty service and/or caused by or aggravated by service-connected pes planus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy of the right upper and lower extremities was denied. The claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical spine (prior to September 8, 2015), and cervical spine (from September 8, 2015 onwards) were also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including valvular heart disease with mitral stenosis, right knee replacement, degenerative arthritis and chondromalacia of the left knee, and bilateral pes planus, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran while his appeal was pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder and back conditions are related to his in-service motorcycle accident, granting service connection for these conditions.