Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee, ankle disabilities, dental trauma to teeth #6, #7, #8, and #9 have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a higher initial rating for his lumbar radiculopathy with sciatica (RLE) and insomnia disorder with chronic pain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection based on exposure to chemicals and/or environmental hazards in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule a VA examination for his right ankle disability. The issues of increased ratings for bipolar disorder, knee osteoarthritis, and initial rating for the right ankle sprain are also pending.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic cough and assigned a 20 percent rating for the back disability. Other disabilities have been rated based on their specific criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed knee disabilities, including arthritis and osteoarthritis with medial capsulitis and degenerative meniscus tear of the right knee, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right hip disorder (chondromalacia) is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.,The Veteran's GERD is secondary to prolonged use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) taken for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of osteoarthritis and arthritic changes of the hands and feet are not related to service, including exposure to cold weather in Korea. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, including degenerative arthritis, is not related to his active duty service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by rotator cuff injury, impingement syndrome, and degenerative arthritis, warrants a rating of 20 percent for the entire time period on appeal.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disorder and headache disorder are related to his service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of a connection. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective September 8, 2009. The Board also granted separate ratings of 10 percent for radiculopathy in both lower extremities from January 14, 2010.

The Veteran seeks service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability and lumbar strain. The case has been remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding whether these conditions aggravate each other.

The Veteran's low back disability, neck muscle spasms, and radiculopathy of the hips are all found to be related to his service-connected conditions. His bilateral hearing loss is also found to be related to noise exposure in service.,The right shoulder condition is not found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with left hallux valgus and osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal was granted an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to February 28, 2013, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. The disability is rated under Diagnostic Code 5276 for acquired flatfoot with marked deformity.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis and instability, is currently rated at the maximum allowable under current rating criteria. The Board finds no basis to grant higher ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's right and left foot disabilities, including hammer toes and degenerative joint disease, are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current disability levels.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at the maximum schedular rating, and his right elbow disability does not meet the criteria for a higher initial rating. The appeals are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease with low back strain, right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion, and right knee osteoarthritis with limitation of extension. The evidence did not support granting higher disability ratings.