Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disorder, including arthritis and a total knee replacement, is not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated during active duty. The current condition is considered less likely as caused by or permanently worsened by his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected disabilities have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of higher evaluations.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by patellofemoral syndrome with posttraumatic osteoarthritis and DJD, has been rated at 10 percent since June 1998. The current appeal seeks an increased rating for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for a low back condition and an increased rating for the right foot condition, finding that there was no causal relationship between the Veteran's current conditions and his service or service-connected right foot disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence in the April 2009 VA examination report, and the need for a new VA joints examination to determine if the Veteran's right knee disability is related to service or his service-connected left knee condition.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability and headaches, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for low back pain syndrome at L5-S1 and degenerative arthritis was denied. However, his claim for a higher initial rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted with a 20% disability rating.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine as secondary to service-connected right knee and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and SSA disability determination records. A VA examination of the right ankle will also be scheduled.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, a right hip disability, and a bilateral knee disability.

The Board found that the appellant's pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5276. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent was denied as there is no evidence to support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including whether they are secondary to his service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder, hip, and rib fractures are not service-connected as they did not develop due to his period of active duty. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, characterized by osteoarthritis and chronic tears of the ligaments, is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine osteoarthritis, right ear tinnitus, and right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's current conditions are deemed to be related to his active duty service.

The Board has vacated the previous decision and remanded the case for consideration by the RO due to new evidence submitted after the August 2011 decision.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated as 30 percent disabling since January 16, 2008, with no higher ratings allowed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and left lower extremity radiculopathy, finding that the evidence did not support higher initial ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his degenerative arthritis in the lumbar spine, and for readjudication of his claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to insufficient explanations and need for additional examinations.