Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's low back disorder is found to be caused by his service-connected right knee disability. His right knee TKR residuals are rated at the maximum available schedular rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of right shoulder, right knee, left knee, bilateral eye disorder, right ear hearing loss, and sinusitis has been withdrawn.

The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability, which includes anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and partial medial meniscectomy with osteoarthritis. The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, left knee, or right knee as there is no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year thereafter and it is not shown to be causally related to any incident of service.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee as secondary to service-connected disabilities of the left leg, finding that the Veteran's gait alteration caused by his service-connected left knee disability contributed to his current right knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee pain and low back pain, both claimed as joint or muscle pain respectively, were denied due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The claim for neurologic signs and symptoms was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his low back disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right and left knee degenerative arthritis have been granted with noncompensable initial ratings, effective August 1, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right heel disabilities have been rated at 10 percent since July 17, 2009. The claims for higher ratings are granted.

The Veteran's right knee lateral meniscus tear and arthritis have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent since May 13, 2004. The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis has been rated at 10 percent since April 17, 2006.,The Veteran's right knee replacement surgery on April 2, 2008 resulted in a 100% rating for one year following the procedure.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left foot disorder, including degenerative arthritis, did not have its onset during active service or within one year thereafter and is not related to any incident of such service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for residuals of a fracture of the left foot was denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left hip with status-post total arthroplasty was not incurred in service and is not attributable directly to, or aggravated by, his service-connected cervical disc disease with mild left hemiparesis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and status post cervical fusion residuals were denied as there was no evidence to support a higher rating based on the current manifestations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The claim for service connection for right hip disorder and low back disorder was referred to the RO.

The Veteran does not have a current right hip disorder that is causally related to her active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder, including osteoarthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to any incident during service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain relevant medical records and determine if his current knee and left foot disabilities are related to service. The Veteran is advised that any outstanding treatment records should be submitted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional records and provide a new VA examination regarding his employability due to service-connected disabilities.