Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine the current severity of her conditions.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities, including left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, left ankle degenerative arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, and impingement syndrome of the left shoulder. The issues on appeal are for initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and a supplemental opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected right knee disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is primarily productive of mild degenerative arthritis with forward flexion to 85 degrees, and the examiner did not find any additional limitation due to pain or other factors. The current rating of 10 percent is therefore appropriate.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Veteran's current right knee osteoarthritis is granted as service connected due to a right knee injury sustained during active duty and continuous symptoms since separation.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee is rated at 10 percent, which is noncompensable under VA rating criteria. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to August 30, 2013 and increased to 20 percent on or after that date.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to obtain updated medical records and provide an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current low back disability is related to service or his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, while his left hip replacement is rated at 30 percent. The Board has found it appropriate to grant a 20 percent evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the right hip.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis is proximately due to his service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, including osteoarthritis and post-operative residuals of arthroscopic ACL reconstructive surgery, is being remanded due to the need for additional development. The VA examiner will provide an addendum opinion considering new medical evidence from April and May 2011.

The Veteran's instability and degenerative arthritis of the left knee are rated at 10 percent each, effective September 26, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and osteochondritis of the left fifth metacarpal with Dupuytren's Contracture were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under VA rating schedule.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities, finding that none of them warranted a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as a round metallic foreign body and degenerative arthritis, is granted service connection. The claim for left knee disability was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is currently rated at 20 percent, which meets the criteria for a higher rating. The appeal was granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including the provision of a new VA examination and consideration of all submitted evidence.

The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of shrapnel wounds to his bilateral hands. The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of any current hand disabilities, including osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, chondrocalcinosis (CPPD), and peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative osteoarthritis of the right shoulder has been evaluated as noncompensable since December 25, 2005. The VA examiner found no limitation of motion that would warrant a compensable rating.