Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The claim for higher ratings is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's spouse is not eligible for the full-dollar rate of DIC benefits due to her residence in the Philippines, and her service was with the Commonwealth Army of the Philippines. The Appellant does not meet the criteria for increased DIC based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder disability, including a tumor of the humerus and osteoarthritis, did not have its onset during service or within one year after separation. The disability is also unrelated to any in-service injury or event.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the hands and mallet finger deformity of the right hand. The Veteran's symptoms are considered to be related to his aging process rather than being incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, manifested by limitation of flexion to 45 degrees with pain on motion, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent as his disability is not productive of more severe limitations such as limitation to less than 30 degrees.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to an injury he sustained during active service, and grants service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorders, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and compression fracture T-12, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disorder and right knee disorder, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent for over a decade, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis. The claim for service connection for left hand arthritis and TDIU is denied.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent since May 2, 2007. He also has a separate 10 percent rating for his right knee condition.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for cholecystitis and post-operative residuals of gallbladder removal, as well as increased ratings for his right knee and left patella disabilities. The issues regarding the appropriate disability ratings for these conditions are more appropriately characterized.

The Board granted a 60 percent rating for the service-connected degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine and chronic sacroiliac strain, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back and leg numbness and additional circulatory disorders are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The Board concluded that these disabilities were not incurred in service.

The Veteran's left Achilles tendinitis with secondary left ankle fracture and posttraumatic osteoarthritis has been rated at 20 percent since May 30, 2002. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, but he developed hypertension during active duty. Service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee and an effective date prior to May 30, 2003, for hypertension have been granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and hip disabilities were rated at 20 percent, but the RO denied his claims for increased ratings.