Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his symptoms and examination findings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for radiculopathy nerve dysfunction of the left leg/left hip was denied as there is no current diagnosis and it is not related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The claim for an increased rating for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee condition was denied as the current evaluation of 30 percent is considered the maximum available under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis, was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied his claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for internal derangement of the left knee, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating based on instability or subluxation. The separate evaluation for osteoarthritis was also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is required before the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability, bilateral hip disability, and spinal stenosis can be decided.

The Board denied service connection for right hip and low back disorders, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The rating for his right knee disability was granted at a 20% level.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to his service-connected right knee disability and thus cannot be granted on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent for chronic pain and mildly limited flexion. A separate 20 percent rating is granted for moderate residual left knee instability and locking.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The effective dates for the granted benefits are established.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder disorder, including degenerative osteoarthritis, was not incurred or aggravated in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions including depression and anxiety, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), arthritis/osteoarthritis of the feet, toes, and ankles, an epididymal cyst, skin lesions, and a deviated nasal septum. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.,The Veteran is seeking increased rating for his deviated nasal septum. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of this disability.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for depression and anxiety, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), arthritis/osteoarthritis of the feet, toes, and ankles, an epididymal cyst, skin lesions, and a deviated nasal septum. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), arthritis/osteoarthritis of the feet, toes, and ankles, an epididymal cyst, skin lesions, and a deviated nasal septum. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for depression and anxiety, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), arthritis/osteoarthritis of the feet, toes, and ankles, an epididymal cyst, skin lesions, and a deviated nasal septum. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.,The Veteran is seeking increased rating for his deviated nasal septum. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of this disability.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance was denied because VA treatment records showed that the Veteran was prescribed ankle foot orthosis for post-polio syndrome, not for service-connected conditions. However, his service connection for neurological deficits of the bilateral lower extremities secondary to post polio syndrome has been granted. The Board is remanding the case for further development and adjudication.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ankle disability and finds that new evidence supports this reopening. The Board also finds sufficient evidence to grant service connection, concluding that it is as likely as not that the current left ankle disorder is causally linked to an in-service injury during basic training.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a fracture of the first lumbar vertebrae with pelvic pain was granted, and he is currently rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection on multiple conditions, including bilateral plantar fasciitis of the feet, bilateral shin splints, onychomycosis of the toe nails, sinusitis, prostatitis, residuals of a fracture of the right first and second metacarpals, bilateral osteoarthritis of the ankles, bilateral degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the knees, and ulcer disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right shoulder degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records and consider a private medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of the evidence.

The Board finds in favor of the Veteran, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence supporting a finding that his service-connected left knee disability has aggravated his current low back disorder. As such, the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Veteran is seeking an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee osteoarthritis with surgical scars. The Board has found that a remand is necessary to determine the current nature and severity of his disability.