Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's lumbar spine, left knee, right foot, and left foot disabilities are rated as noncompensable under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board grants separate compensable ratings (10%) for each disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right knee were denied. The Board found that prior to November 4, 2010, the disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent and from November 4, 2010, it did not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his service, while his left knee disability is not causally or etiologically related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hand and finger disabilities, as well as his bilateral shoulder disabilities, did not originate during service or due to any incident of active service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's increased disability rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee was granted, with a current evaluation of 30 percent effective February 13, 2013.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been rated as 20 percent disabling for dislocation of semilunar cartilage and separately as 10 percent disabling for limitation of extension, resulting in a total rating of 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, as well as attempting to obtain SSA records. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to respond after the development is completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disorder is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee disorder, diagnosed as osteoarthritis with arthralgia, based on a finding that it is etiologically related to in-service ski injuries.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis, hammertoes, plantar warts, and peripheral vascular disease of the right foot. The Veteran's current conditions are found to be related to his active service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disorders are not related to service, and thus denies her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further consideration of his claim under both the old and new versions of the applicable rating criteria, including the former criteria that are more favorable to him.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records and further examination. The initial disability rating for his lumbar spine condition remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including pes planus and osteoarthritis of the right and left knees, are rated at 10 percent each. The Board has determined that a combined rating of 20 percent is warranted for both knees.

The Veteran's athlete's foot, pseudofolliculitis barbae, tinea versicolor of the back, and dermatophytosis of the groin have been granted service connection. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for each condition.,The Veteran's low back disorder was initially granted in 2007 with a rating of 20 percent prior to November 16th, and has since been increased to 40 percent thereafter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and special monthly pension due to his failure to provide necessary income verification forms as required by VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left hip disability was denied. For the period prior to June 9, 2008, his condition did not meet the criteria for extraschedular evaluation. For the period from August 1, 2009, he is rated at 30 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the claim for entitlement to service connection for osteoarthritis, including residuals of stress fractures of the ankles due to incomplete documentation in the claims file.