Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder and elbow disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the left arm.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was rated at 10 percent prior to March 2011 and increased to 20 percent since then.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 20 percent between July 1, 2007 and April 18, 2011. As of April 19, 2011, the rating was increased to 40 percent.

The Board denied service connection for joint pain, tinnitus, an ankle condition, hypertension, an aneurysm, a psychiatric condition to include PTSD, and gout.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, characterized as degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's claims seeking increased ratings for pustular acne and Baker's cysts in the left knee have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claim for an extraschedular evaluation for the period from January 12 to February 13, 2006 was denied as his disability picture did not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation greater than 30 percent for postoperative residuals of a total left knee replacement since April 1, 2007 was also denied. The evidence showed no severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle disorder, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, an acquired psychiatric disorder (cyclothymic disorder), and a bilateral shoulder disorder are being remanded due to new evidence received since the last final decision. The claim for increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for proximal tibial stress fractures of the left knee with osteoarthritis is dismissed.,The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral ankle disorder, degenerative arthritis of the right knee, an acquired psychiatric disorder (cyclothymic disorder), and a bilateral shoulder disorder are being remanded. The claim for increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for proximal tibial stress fractures of the left knee with osteoarthritis is dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or a relationship to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed osteoarthritis of the cervical spine and occipital headaches are not related to service, but PTSD is found to be incurred in service.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the initial increased ratings for low back strain with osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease, rated as 20 percent disabling from October 22, 2004 to December 26, 2006, and as 40 percent disabling since December 27, 2006; and for radiculopathy with peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, rated as 10 percent disabling from October 22, 2004 to May 19, 2008, as 20 percent disabling from May 20, 2008 to July 7, 2011, and as 40 percent disabling since July 8, 2011.

The Veteran's back disability is granted service connection as it was noted during service and he has reported continuity of symptoms since then. The left leg, right hip, and right knee disabilities are remanded for further examination to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for dental disability, and denied all other claims for increase.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of osteoarthritis, depression, headaches, blurred vision or dermatitis that is related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is service connected, with no specific rating assigned and no effective date provided.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to address the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbosacral strain did not meet or approximate criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to July 3, 1996.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for scar residuals of a shrapnel wound of the right leg and his initial noncompensable rating for residuals of an injury to the left index finger have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for epicondylitis of the left elbow.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lower back disorders, including osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, were incurred during active service. The presumption of soundness applies as there is no evidence showing pre-existing conditions in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing and following some form of substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Veteran seeks an earlier effective date for his TDIU benefit, arguing he was unable to work due to service-connected disabilities prior to March 24, 2010. The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to suggest the Veteran may have been unemployable by reason of service-connected disabilities prior to this date.