Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to active service, and the Board finds that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation during service. The claim for a right knee disability was remanded but has not been adjudicated yet.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia patella and right knee osteoarthritis with partial patellar tendon tear were evaluated at 10 percent each since April 1, 2009. The Veteran's left knee lateral subluxation was also granted a 10 percent evaluation from March 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee was withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chondromalacia patella of the left knee was withdrawn.,An effective date of June 17, 2008, is granted for a separate award of service connection for laxity of the medial collateral ligament of the right knee.,A TDIU is granted.

The Board has found no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current back disorders are related to his military service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's residuals of a fracture of the right tibia were not rated higher than 30 percent prior to September 4, 1996.,From November 1, 1997, the Veteran's residuals of a fracture of the right tibia, status post-total knee arthroplasty have not been rated higher than 30 percent.

The VA medical opinion found no evidence of negligence or fault on the part of VA in providing care for the Veteran's right hip disability. The Veteran's current right hip disability is considered to be a result of his own conditions and not due to any fault of VA.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee disability and osteoarthritis of the left hip were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in any of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's increased evaluations for his left and right knee disabilities were denied.,Both knees are currently rated 10 percent disabling, with no higher ratings granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee osteoarthritis was rated as 10% disabling, the bilateral inguinal hernia repair had no residuals, the residual neurological deficit of the ring finger did not meet criteria for a compensable rating, seasonal allergies were rated as non-compensable, and varicose veins of the right lower extremity were found to be unrelated to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's osteoarthritis was not incurred in service and could not be presumed to have been incurred due to lead exposure. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disability and dismissed the claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine was denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's chronic lumbar strain with osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine has been rated at 20 percent since August 18, 2005.

The Veteran seeks service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee, which he claims was caused by a laceration injury during active duty. The Board has not obtained all relevant treatment records and is remanding the case to ensure these records are obtained.

The Veteran's left knee arthritis is manifested by x-ray evidence showing degenerative arthritic changes, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's musculoskeletal system evaluation guidelines.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection was granted, and he is currently receiving a 20 percent rating for his left leg disability. The Board found that the disability has worsened since May 15, 2010, warranting an increased rating to 40 percent.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disorder is not shown to be causally or etiologically related to his military service, and arthritis did not manifest within one year of his discharge from service.

The Board has remanded the claim for a TDIU due to additional development being required, including obtaining further medical opinions and considering the Veteran's education, work experience, and training.