Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2011

The Board found no evidence of a left knee injury or condition during service and concluded that the current left knee disorder is not related to service. As such, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left ankle fracture with degenerative joint disease, right ankle and hip arthritis, and right knee degenerative joint disease, meet the criteria for a schedular total disability rating from May 7, 2004 to November 6, 2008. The claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(o) is being remanded due to the need for an examination and medical opinion regarding whether the aid and attendance required by the Veteran is for a disability that is separate and distinct from the loss of use of the feet.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and a compensable evaluation for his lumbar muscle strain, finding that there was no evidence of radiculopathy during service or related to service-connected disability. The Veteran's current back pain is attributed to degenerative changes in his spine.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder conditions have been rated at 20 percent each, effective June 19, 2006. The TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, cervical degenerative disk disease, and right knee retropatellar pain syndrome with osteoarthritis were all rated at the lowest possible initial evaluation of 10 percent for each condition. The evaluations have not changed since their initial assignment in October 2005.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss disability, osteoarthritis of the left acromioclavicular joint, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, currently identified as degenerative joint disease (specifically identified as degenerative arthritis), warrants a 10 percent evaluation based on limitation of motion.

The Board found that the right wrist and left knee disabilities are not related to service, with no indication of a severe injury in service. The appellant's long-term work as a golf professional is considered more likely to have contributed to these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected appendectomy scar and left knee disability were evaluated, but the claims for increased ratings were denied as there was no evidence of compensable limitation of motion or instability.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by chronic muscular strain, rotator cuff impingement, tendonitis, and moderate frozen shoulder syndrome with degenerative arthritis and a rotator cuff tear, is currently rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5201. This rating reflects the limitation of motion to less than 25 degrees from the side.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and considering the nature of his right knee disability, which includes residuals from a total knee replacement.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability, has been rated at 30 percent since November 1, 2000. A separate 10 percent rating for instability was granted effective from April 14, 2003 to the present.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected post-traumatic osteoarthritis, left knee warrants a rating of 30 percent effective from February 17, 2010, and a separate rating for instability and subluxation associated with this condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right shoulder and left shoulder, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The new evidence submitted since the last final denial supports these claims.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, which he claims is secondary to his service-connected right knee disorder. The case has been remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for further examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disorder is not related to her military service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed. The Board grants service connection for burn scars of the neck and left arm and axilla, finding that they were aggravated in service. Service connection is also granted for a chronic neck disorder (cervical dystonia torticollis and degenerative arthritis) as it was caused by the aggravation of pre-existing scar tissue during service. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression) remains pending.

The Veteran's current diagnoses of degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are related to his active military service, as evidenced by his in-service injury during his time as a Lifeguard. The Board finds that the evidence supports granting service connection for these conditions.