Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has ordered the VA to obtain additional medical records and for further development, including obtaining treatment records from Dr. Vivas and any relevant state disability retirement records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant in July 2013.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability is being remanded for additional development to determine its etiology, including obtaining in-service hospital records and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is related to his service-connected left knee and lumbar spine disorders, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral spine disability has been manifested by forward flexion to no less than 90 degrees, without muscle spasm or guarding resulting in abnormal gait or spinal contour. There were no incapacitating episodes prior to January 6, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative disease of the cervical spine is related to his active military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disabilities are not related to his in-service injury, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of degenerative arthritis of the left ankle or DDD of the cervical spine, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. The Board finds the January 2012 medical opinion persuasive in concluding that the Veteran's left ankle gout and cervical spine disability are not related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is due to or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's right knee disability is characterized by severe instability and degenerative arthritis, resulting in a 30 percent rating. A separate 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right ankle sprain and bilateral hip conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylolisthesis is rated at 20 percent, and his right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee status post partial meniscectomy with ACL reconstruction, and left knee status post partial meniscectomy are all rated as 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and found that new evidence supports a finding of service connection for osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Board resolved all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that further action is required to determine the relationship between the Veteran's current ankle, knee, hip, and shoulder conditions and his military service. The VA examiner's opinion was based on an inaccurate factual premise regarding a gap in medical records following separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities and thrombophlebitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left foot and low back disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine does not render him unemployable due to his disability alone, as he has other significant health issues and prior employment history that make it difficult for him to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder did not manifest during service or within one year thereafter, and the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that it is related to his period of service.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal for the issues of service connection for left shoulder, left biceps and cervical spine disorders. The Board dismissed these claims as a result.