Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since April 21, 2008. The claim for a higher rating is denied as the evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, and his radiculopathy of the left lower extremity warrants a separate 10 percent rating. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy does not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection based on continuity of symptomatology since service. The other claims were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the appellant's left knee laxity, effective from March 17, 2004. The claim for increased evaluations for degenerative osteoarthritis and TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder, knee, and ankle disabilities are being remanded to allow for additional examination and development of the record.

The Veteran is granted an initial disability rating of 10 percent for arthritis and plantar fasciitis in both feet, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it is presumed to have developed during active duty due to its manifestation within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine and left shoulder disorders are related to his active duty service, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board determined that the Veteran's claimed left knee and left ankle disorders were not incurred during active duty service, nor are they related to an injury or illness incurred by the Veteran during his active duty service. As such, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent, with a separate 10 percent rating for instability. The gunshot wound residuals are also considered in the evaluation.

The VA determined that the Veteran's left knee cartilage injury with degenerative arthritis does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran is entitled to a 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine as of October 1, 2005 and since June 10, 2009. He was not entitled to any higher ratings at any time.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the TMJ is found to be related to his active service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has found that the Veteran's chronic left ankle instability with degenerative arthritis is service-connected, as it was incurred during his period of active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left knee and loss of strength in the right wrist were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for initial compensable disability ratings for hemorrhoids and degenerative arthritis of the left knee, as well as his claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, require additional development. The case is being remanded to provide new VA examinations.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left and right feet has been rated at 10 percent each, with no more than a noncompensable limitation of motion in both metatarsophalangeal joints.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected low back disability and left knee disability, as well as any additional treatment records. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.