Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including the provision of a retrospective medical opinion regarding his ability to work during the period from September 18, 2006 to March 23, 2010.

The Board granted an increased (30%) rating for the service-connected back disability, effective from October 15, 2010.

The Veteran's low back disability was found to not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 23, 2011.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including dislocation of the patella and degenerative arthritis, has been rated at 20% since April 9, 2004. The increased rating for dislocation of the patella was denied, while a separate 10% rating for degenerative arthritis was granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's increased rating claims for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The issues were remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and subluxation, is rated at 10 percent since the appeal period began.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of osteoarthritis of the right hip and lumbosacral strain are at least as likely as not related to his service, including a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in July 2002. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia patella, left knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia patella, and thoracic degenerative disc disease. The claims are granted.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis was rated at 10 percent prior to March 4, 2010. A separate rating of 10 percent for instability was granted. After a total right knee arthroplasty on March 4, 2010, the Veteran received a 60 percent rating beginning May 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for an increased level of special monthly compensation based on the need for a higher level of aid and assistance has been denied as he does not meet the threshold requirements for attaining any of the required levels of SMC to warrant consideration of an increased rate based on a higher level of aid and assistance.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities are 60 percent disabling due to a common etiology: right hip degenerative arthritis, left hip degenerative arthritis, and lumbosacral strain. The evidence shows the Veteran is unemployable solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by medial collateral ligament strain and osteoarthritis, was rated at 10 percent prior to May 8, 2012. Since then, the rating has been increased to 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is related to his military service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The left knee disability is secondary to the right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a hearing at the RO. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression, bilateral knee and hip disorders, and low back disorder. The reopened claims are now considered together as all acquired psychiatric conditions are included.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his right ankle disability, including any related secondary conditions. The claim will be reconsidered based on the updated evidence.

The Board denied service connection for pes planus and denied increased ratings for patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee and early posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that there was no evidence to support a worsening during service or aggravation.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by post-traumatic degenerative joint disease and patella chondromalacia, results in limited flexion to 74 degrees with normal extension. The VA examiner found no ankylosis or objective evidence of instability despite the Veteran's subjective complaints.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities did not warrant a separate rating for limitation of flexion, and thus severed the separate 20 percent rating. The claim for increased rating was denied as there was no evidence showing aggravation of lumbar spine disorder by service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, including osteoarthritis and a rotator cuff tear, is service-connected as secondary to her service-connected right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is presumed to be related to the fall caused by her service-connected knee disabilities.