Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's increased ratings claims for her left knee and right knee disabilities were granted, while the claim for service connection for recurrent episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding was also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are shown as likely as not to preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment consistent with his work and education background, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, including spondylolisthesis and osteoarthritis with associated pain, was not incurred in or aggravated by his service. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's left hand disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and the current condition is unrelated to service.

The Veteran's low back condition and right leg condition are found to be related to a service-connected left knee condition, thus service connection is granted for both conditions.

The Board found no evidence of arthritis in areas other than the cervical spine and denied service connection for non-cervical spine osteoarthritis for accrued benefits purposes.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and an increased rating for mild facet osteoarthritis are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to February 6, 2008 were denied as there was no evidence of a claim being received by VA before that date.,VA assigned the earliest possible effective date based on the facts found.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding the onset and continuity of service-connected left shoulder osteoarthritis. The Veteran's claims for carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists remain under review.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was not present until after his discharge from service and is not etiologically related to service. The Board denied service connection for the right ankle disability on the merits.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by instability and some limitation of motion, warrants a 20 percent rating for the period from April 28, 2012. A separate 10 percent rating is assigned for noncompensable limitation of motion.

The Veteran's initial ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been granted, but the specific details of the ratings are not provided in the decision summary.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the knees has been granted, with each knee receiving a separate 10 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his left knee disability, including instability and osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and a history of meniscus removal, was rated at 60 percent from December 1, 2009 to the present. The appeal is granted for this period.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left knee status post arthroplasty and right knee degenerative arthritis are not related to his military service. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions were less likely than not incurred in or caused by the claimed in-service injury.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of any currently diagnosed left knee condition. The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to insufficient previous examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA hand examination to determine the presence of current left and right hand disabilities related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability, diagnosed as minimal age-acquired osteoarthritis, did not manifest in service or to a compensable degree within one year after separation from service. There is no probative evidence linking his left knee disability to his service.