Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's right knee conditions, including chondromalacia patella with lateral meniscus tear and degenerative arthritis, subluxation of the knee, and limitation of flexion, are rated at 30 percent under DC 5257 for slight recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, which includes a history of a fracture and current osteoarthritis, does not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond the currently assigned 10% due to lack of favorable ankylosis in dorsiflexion.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for degenerative osteoarthritis of the left knee was granted, but not in excess of 10 percent from March 14, 2007, to October 7, 2008.,A temporary total evaluation for status post left knee arthrotomy was awarded retroactive to March 14, 2007. The claim remained in controversy as less than the maximum benefit available was awarded.,Service connection for a left TKA and a 30 percent rating effective December 1, 2009 were granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to be productive of a disability picture that precludes her from securing and following some form of substantially gainful employment consistent with her education and work experience.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings were granted. He was awarded service connection for right knee disabilities, anosmia, and left foot tinea pedis (athlete's foot). Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain service personnel records, SSA disability benefits records, and other pertinent records. The issues on appeal include service connection for various disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction were all denied. The Board found no current disabilities to support these claims.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and osteoarthritis. The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left ankle disability, to include a talor dome lesion in the left ankle. The preponderance of evidence supports that the current talor dome lesion is etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left hip is found to be related to an abnormal gait associated with his service-connected left foot disability, and thus granted as secondary.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the lumbar spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor is it proximately due to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, and his right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each rated at 10 percent. The appeal for higher ratings has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip osteoarthritis, trochanteric bursitis, and total hip replacement residuals; right hip osteoarthritis; and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with laminectomy residuals. These conditions are found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected right foot and left foot disabilities.

The Veteran's physical impairment due to his nonservice-connected conditions requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from the hazards of daily environment, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected left great toenail deformity, left foot degenerative arthritis of the left great toe and hammertoe, and left ankle strain have all been granted at their current non-compensable evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal for an extension of the temporary total evaluation assigned for a period of convalescence from left hip surgery beyond August 31, 2010 is denied. The Veteran was granted a temporary total rating from June 28, 2010 through August 31, 2010 and has been assigned a 100 percent rating continuously since then.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause or aggravate his claimed conditions, and the Board finds no evidence of a nexus between his service-connected right femur fracture residuals and either condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine condition is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disability and his active duty service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability is manifested by pain, limitation of motion, tenderness, and objective evidence of arthritis. The Board finds that the current 20 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected bilateral shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his knee and shoulder conditions.