Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorder, including degenerative arthritis and chronic lumbar strain, was not related to her service or any aspect of it. The evidence did not support a finding that her current condition was caused by her service-connected pelvic inflammatory disease.

The Veteran's service-connected status post gunshot wound of the left foot with posttraumatic changes, degenerative arthritis and hallux valgus has been granted a 20 percent rating effective December 30, 2007.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's left elbow disability in April 2008. The Veteran filed a claim for an earlier effective date on February 8, 2010, and VA established a 20% rating as of that date based on limited pronation. The appeal is denied because no earlier effective date can be granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain VA treatment records and the Veteran's private medical records. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis and patellofemoral syndrome, did not begin during service or due to any incident of service. The VA examiner stated that neither the right nor the left knee disabilities were related to service.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain and left shoulder degenerative arthritis have been rated at the maximum allowable under current VA regulations, with no further increase in ratings possible.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability is not caused or worsened by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected low back strain with degenerative joint disease is not shown to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent. The left shoulder acromioclavicular arthritis has been rated appropriately.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, while the cervical spine disability with radiculopathy is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed left knee degenerative arthritis is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease (DDD), was found to be incurred in service. The right knee disability is also granted.

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

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss has been reopened and granted. The left clavicle disability is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's generalized osteoarthritis was not incurred in service, may not be presumed to have been incurred therein, and is not proximately caused by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for a comprehensive evaluation of the functional effects of his service-connected disabilities on employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine did not preexist his entry into active service and was not shown to be related to his military service. The VA examiner concluded that the current condition is less likely than not incurred in or caused by an in-service injury, event, or illness.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of the grant of service connection (November 7, 2005).

The Veteran died from atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, which was not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's dementia and hypertension did not have onset during active service or within one year of active service, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's knee disabilities, specifically instability and degenerative arthritis of the left and right knees, have been granted increased ratings effective November 22, 2013. The current ratings are 30 percent for each knee.