Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits information. The case will be reviewed again after the additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracic and lumbar spine disability most likely contributed to his loss of use of his feet, which meets the criteria for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND that follows.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected muscle tension headaches, neurological complications of the lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc disease, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, left knee strain, right knee strain, left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, and right knee strain with degenerative arthritis have all been denied. The Veteran is currently receiving the maximum schedular evaluation for his muscle tension headaches.

The Board found that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis in her left knee is not related to an injury during service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for osteoarthritis of the hands, elbows, and back, as well as erectile dysfunction.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee patellofemoral syndrome and osteoarthritis, as well as left shoulder supraspinatus tendinosis and acromioclavicular joint degenerative joint disease. The Veteran's conditions are found to be related to her active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed left knee disability, and his service-connected lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher ratings. The Veteran's tinea pedis is rated appropriately, as are his hearing loss and CTS. His acquired psychiatric disorder, right ankle condition, and head injury with headaches and myofascial pain syndrome do not warrant increased ratings. Finally, the Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to September 5, 2013 were rated at a combined 90 percent. Considering the totality of his service-connected conditions and their impact on his ability to work, these disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, effective September 9, 2015. A separate rating for right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy as neurological manifestations of the service connected low back disability are also warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for right great toe osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and development.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), fever outbreak, sleep apnea, sero-negative polyarthritis, and traumatic brain injury, were not found to be related to service or service-connected conditions. The Board denied these claims as the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not manifest within one year of separation from service and could not be presumed to have been incurred during active service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her service-connected right hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis of the right first metatarsophalangeal joint, status post bunionectomy, decompression of the deep peroneal nerve, and neurectomy was denied. The Board found that she is already receiving the maximum schedular evaluation.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shin splints was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The claims for sleep apnea and restless leg syndrome are dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule him for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's right hip disability, including osteoarthritis and total right hip arthroplasty with residuals, is found to be service-connected. The Board also granted service connection for left hip, back, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities as secondary to the right hip disability.

The Board has determined that further examination and development are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and ankle disorders, as well as his claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's upper and lower back disorders, left knee disorder, right hip and left hip disorders as secondary to his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease. The effective date is August 25, 2008.