Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by limited motion and slight laxity, is rated at 10 percent under the rating schedule. The claim for a higher rating was denied.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right knee, asthma, and gout disorders, as well as a higher initial rating for hypertension to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC, for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right ankle disorder is related to a reported injury during active service, and thus grants service connection for traumatic osteoarthritis of the right ankle.

The Board granted service connection for Morton's neuroma of the left foot and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, but denied service connection for right and left foot disorders other than Morton's neuroma.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by flexion limited to 95 degrees with pain throughout and extension full at zero degrees, does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent. A separate 10 percent rating is assigned for painful limitation of flexion due to arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal involves the initial ratings for his service-connected right knee and bilateral foot disabilities. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical records, as well as to schedule VA examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the appellant withdrew his claims for increased rating and service connection. The issue of total rating based on individual unemployability is remanded to the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current left hand condition and the relationship between his service-connected injury and any current disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis of the right and left knees were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left wrist conditions were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee, shoulder, and degenerative arthritis disorders are not related to his active service. The evidence does not show continuity of symptomatology or a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected back and hip disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis are inextricably intertwined, necessitating further development of his case. The Veteran needs to provide updated medical records from Dr. T.R. Sexton and any other relevant providers.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for bipolar disorder, and that arteriosclerotic heart disease was not related to service-connected bipolar disorder. Service connection for fibromyalgia and degenerative arthritis was also denied as these conditions were not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, so there are no specific findings or ratings to report.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's in-service injury is presumed, as there are no records indicating any pre-existing condition or other issues affecting his current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting left hand disability was aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for left hand osteoarthritis.

The Board has restored the Veteran's original 20 percent ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities, as well as granted service connection for sleep apnea based on aggravation during his third period of active duty.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain and impingement syndrome, with osteoarthritis, have been productive of flexion to 110 degrees, internal rotation to 90 degrees, external rotation to 45 degrees, abduction to 100 degrees, adduction to 50 degrees. He retains functional use above the shoulder level.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The RO granted a temporary total evaluation beyond June 30, 2004 due to surgery related to his left ankle disability but did not grant the requested increases in ratings.