Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of her right shoulder disability and determine if she needs aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 17, 2009. The Veteran's service-connected left elbow disability is currently rated at 10 percent. Both disabilities are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are related to his service, including his in-service duties as a jet mechanic.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, peripheral neuropathy of the L5 dermatome (right lower extremity), and peripheral neuropathy of the L5 dermatome (left lower extremity) have been denied. The evidence does not show that any of these conditions meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee is being remanded due to incomplete development and need for a reasoned analysis on functional deficits.

The Veteran's right knee disability, postoperative total replacement with fibrous ankylosis, was found to not warrant a higher evaluation prior to February 19, 2010. Since then, the disability has been rated at 60 percent.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various musculoskeletal conditions, including heart disease and arthritis in multiple joints. The appeal will be remanded to allow for additional examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected chronic right shoulder strain, effective from when the claim was received in December 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain records related to her exposure history and to schedule a VA examination to address the etiology of her hypothyroidism, left foot plantar fasciitis, and osteoarthritis, sacroiliac joint and sacroiliitis, left hip.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his left shoulder disability was denied. He is currently rated at 20 percent since December 11, 2007.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the knees, as there is no chronic knee disability shown in service or after service. The VA examiner opined that it is not at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current knee disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee and hip disabilities meet the percentage requirements for TDIU, as his combined rating is at least 70 percent. However, he does not have unemployability due to these conditions alone.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities have been evaluated based on their current manifestations and do not warrant higher ratings as the range of motion is within normal limits with no additional limitation due to pain or instability.

The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral knee disabilities following total knee replacements, finding no evidence of severe painful motion or weakness in the knees.

The Board found no evidence of a current right shoulder disability that is related to service, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's initial rating for low back disability was granted at 20 percent from February 14, 2000 through August 18, 2005. From August 19, 2005, the Veteran is rated at 40 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for issuance of a statement of the case due to disagreement with the denial of service connection for degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis of the left hip.