Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's right knee and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each under Diagnostic Code 5003 for degenerative arthritis. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no limitation of motion to 45 degrees or extension to 10 degrees, which would allow two individual 10% ratings.,The Veteran's thrombophlebitis of the right lower extremity is rated at 40 percent under Diagnostic Code 7121. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no persistent ulceration or massive board-like edema with constant pain at rest.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder injury, left knee ligament tear, and right knee osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's service connection for a right hip disability is granted, as it is related to his in-service injury and/or caused by his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis status post meniscectomy.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and providing a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his low back disability, as well as any aggravation by his service-connected Parkinson's disease.

The Board found that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left knee did not manifest during service or as a result of an in-service injury, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the evidence does not show any additional functional loss or impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by osteoarthritis and instability, is currently rated at 20 percent. A separate 20 percent rating for moderate instability of the left knee has also been granted.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent prior to September 24, 2008. From March 1, 2007 to September 24, 2008, she was granted a separate 10 percent rating for slight instability of the left knee. Since September 25, 2009, her partial left knee replacement residuals are rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability was denied by the Board, as there is no evidence of limitation of extension to 30 degrees or more or chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness in the affected extremity.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of the issues related to service connection for a bilateral hip condition, low back condition, and an increased evaluation for service-connected residuals of right knee injury with tricompartmental osteoarthritis and scar. The claims are therefore dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left knee osteoarthritis were denied. The Board found no evidence of exceptional patterns of hearing impairment or instability warranting higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder, diagnosed as lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, was incurred during his active military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, status post total knee replacement. The appeal of education benefits was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and residuals of left great toe injury; and a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of right knee or right wrist, and his service connection claims for right hip osteoarthritis are denied. The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also denied as he does not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting low back disability permanently worsened during service, warranting service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to her military service and denied both her claim for direct service connection as well as any secondary service connection claims.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's left ankle arthroplasty with residual scars is rated at 40 percent, effective from September 1, 2011. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.