Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by painful motion and limitation of motion due to arthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent. The scar associated with the condition does not warrant a separate evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance due to his ability to perform most of his daily activities independently.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's current major depressive disorder and related sleep impairment symptoms are due to service in Desert Storm. His bilateral great toe osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus did not have their onset in service or are not attributable to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disorders, including degenerative disc disease at L5-S1, were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The medical opinion concluded that it was less than 50% likely related to his period of active military service.

The Board has remanded the case to schedule a VA cold injury examination and readjudicate the claim for service connection for residuals of frozen feet.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected left knee and left ankle disabilities. His increased ratings for the left knee and left ankle are granted, with a TDIU claim also being granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings have been withdrawn. As a result, the claims are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is related to his military service, granting service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is etiologically related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran was granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as these conditions are related to his in-service acoustic trauma. The Veteran's right and left wrist degenerative arthritis were also found to be related to his in-service injuries.,Service connection was established based on direct evidence of a link between the current disabilities and the Veteran's military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability more nearly approximated limitation of motion of the right arm midway between side and shoulder level for the entire increased rating period, warranting a 30 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 5201.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the knees is presumed to have been incurred in service due to his combat and prisoner of war status, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of the left knee were caused or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle and foot strains. As a result, both claims for service connection are granted.

The Veteran's right knee disability was not rated higher than 20 percent, and he received a separate rating for arthritis. His left knee condition did not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not properly severed from service connection, and has granted service connection for a right hip disability as secondary to his service-connected bilateral flat feet.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of right knee arthritis, finding that the original denial in 1989 was final and any reopening of the claim did not allow for a prior effective date.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis, is rated at 20 percent prior to March 23, 2011. A separate rating of 10 percent for osteoarthritis is granted.