Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2014

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the rating of residuals of benign giant cell tumor in the left popliteal area, post-operative arthrotomy, arthroscopy, synovectomy, and total knee arthroplasty with osteoarthritis of the left knee.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for residuals, right hip injury with osteoarthritis and total hip replacement.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including referral to the VA Director, Compensation and Pension Service or the Under Secretary for Benefits for consideration of an extraschedular evaluation.

Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis/osteoarthritis of the right knee.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for proximal tibial stress fractures of the left knee with osteoarthritis is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a supplemental opinion from the April 2014 VA examiner regarding whether his right shoulder degenerative arthritis is due to or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder degenerative arthritis. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining any additional evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for herniated disc, cervical spine and osteoarthritis, right hip based on new evidence provided by the Veteran. The claims are now considered on their merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities are not etiologically related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including symptoms related to a meniscal tear and attempted surgical repair, warrants an initial evaluation of 20 percent for the entire appeal period.,For the same time frame, her osteoarthritis also warrants a separate initial evaluation of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED to the AOJ for additional development due to questions regarding the exact nature and etiology of his low back disability, including whether it is related to service or a motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis is found to be secondary to his service-connected left knee replacement.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination of his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran is shown to require the regular assistance of another person due to physical incapacity when caring for the daily personal needs of dressing or undressing himself, toileting, bathing, and keeping himself clean and presentable as a result of his service-connected right knee, ankle, and foot disabilities, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is manifested by instability and guarding, in addition to arthritis with limitation of motion to shoulder level. The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the right shoulder disability.

The Board has vacated the portion of the January 2012 decision that denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for a lumbar surgical scar. The claim for an increased evaluation for intervertebral disk pathology at L4-5 with degenerative arthritis remains unchanged, as does the claim for an increased evaluation for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability, including osteoarthritis, was not incurred in service and is not secondary to a service-connected disability. The opinion from the VA examiner concluded it is less likely as not related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee osteoarthritis is not related to his active service and has denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran is granted service connection for residuals of left breast surgery and a skin disability of the left ear lobe. Service connection was denied for a skin disability of the right ear lobe and a left knee disorder.,Service connection has been established for a current diagnosis of osteoarthritis in the left knee, which is related to an injury sustained during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for clarification of the range of motion findings from a previous VA examination.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's left ankle disability, effective from January 4, 2011.

The Veteran is permanently and totally disabled due to service-connected disabilities, including his right knee and lumbar spine conditions. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities are productive of loss of use of both lower extremities such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. As a result, the Veteran is eligible for a certificate of eligibility for specially adapted housing.