Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by internal derangement and degenerative arthritis, has been rated at 20 percent for limitation of extension. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on the current range of motion.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches are currently evaluated at 50 percent, but the Board has remanded to consider an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right foot disorders are not related to his period of service and denied his claim for service connection.

The case is being remanded for further development, including additional medical opinions and evidence. The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea will be reviewed to determine if it began during service or was aggravated by his rhinitis disability. His TDIU claim will also be reviewed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine has been granted, with a current disability rating of 40 percent. The issue of entitlement to TDIU remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current residuals of a right great toe fracture or any related right ankle disability, and that any degenerative changes in his right foot are more likely age-related than service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development of his claims, specifically regarding the effect of flare-ups on his spine disability and whether pain significantly limits functional ability during flare-ups or when used repeatedly over a period of time.

The Veteran's PTSD service connection claim is granted, and his right knee disability is rated at 30 percent from June 11, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee chondromalacia and left knee osteoarthritis have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.,The Veteran is currently rated at the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 5260-5003 for his right knee chondromalacia, which is evaluated based on limitation of motion. His left knee osteoarthritis is also rated at the highest available rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for vision disorder, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's residuals, right knee injury, status post total knee arthroplasty, are rated at 60 percent from April 1, 2006 to December 5, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right or left hip/torso disability for which service connection can be granted.,Right hip trochanteric bursitis was diagnosed in April 2011, over 30 years after discharge from service. The most recent VA examination found no arthritis of the left hip.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left foot strain with hammer toe of the left second toe and assigned a noncompensable initial rating. Service connection was also granted for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of the knees, both found to be secondary to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable. The TDIU issue is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right hand conditions, including tremor and wrist disorders, are not service-connected. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions are less likely than not related to his military service or to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his service-connected left ankle disability have been granted and are set at 20 percent from February 1, 2006 to October 18, 2006, and 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability does not warrant a higher initial rating of 10% or 20% prior to and since March 7, 2011 respectively.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his claimed disabilities, finding that they are not related to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his left knee and right ear hearing loss did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.