Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the VA has determined that a higher rating of 20 percent is warranted based on the severity and symptoms of his condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability is characterized by a limitation of flexion to 90 degrees and extension to 4 degrees, but no ankylosis or severe instability. A separate rating for extension limited to 15 degrees has been granted.,For the period since August 1, 2007, the Veteran's right knee disability is characterized by pain, swelling, and chronic symptoms such as effusion and occasional locking; however, subluxation or dislocation has not been shown. A rating in excess of 20 percent for this period has not been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's recent arthroscopic surgery was determined to be unrelated to his service-connected osteochondroma. His current left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable since October 5, 2005. The claim for increased ratings for the left femur fracture and lumbar spine disabilities are remanded to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected right hip condition is not shown to meet the criteria for a higher disability rating, and her current 10 percent evaluation remains appropriate.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability was granted, with a 60 percent evaluation effective from March 1, 2004. The Board found that the evidence supported a finding of moderate instability and severe pain and weakness, which warranted a separate 20 percent rating for lateral instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot Lisfranc injury is secondary to his service-connected left knee osteoarthritis status post medial meniscectomy, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with herniated disc. The Veteran's low back disability is found to be directly related to his active military service, while his cervical spine disability is also found to be related to service based on a nexus between the Veteran's performance during service and his current condition.

Service connection for low back strain and right knee strain has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence that relates to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.,The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability may be aggravating his low back and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis, claimed as a low back disability secondary to his service-connected pilonidal sinus, is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions. The Board will seek clarification on the etiology of the Veteran's current low back condition.

The Veteran's left hand disability, including amputations of the index and thumb fingers and advanced osteoarthritis of the middle finger, is rated at 60 percent since October 5, 2010.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disorder.

The Veteran's bilateral hand conditions are currently rated based on limitation of motion. The current ratings for the right and left wrists meet the criteria for a 20% rating under DC 5003.,No additional functional loss due to pain, weakness, excess fatigability, or incoordination is noted during repetitive use.

The Board granted a 100% disability rating for the service-connected atrophy interosseus muscles of the right hand, which included both hands. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was also granted as of November 13, 1997.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for scar residuals of an appendectomy and that the Veteran failed to appear for his scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and a new examination, including consideration of whether separate ratings are warranted for each knee.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, which includes a healed fracture and osteoarthritis, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the current evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining his VR&E file.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his cervical spine disability and psychiatric disorder.