Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran did not timely file a substantive appeal regarding the January 2003 rating decision, which addressed his service-connected conditions and entitlement issues. As a result, the RO's decisions were deemed final.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Board hearing. The specific claims of service connection and higher evaluations remain pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the initial disability ratings for right knee status post ACL reconstruction with chondromalacia and degenerative arthritis, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease.

The Board finds that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee, post-operative is incurred during his active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board is remanding the case to schedule a hearing for the Veteran, as he requested due to transportation and weather issues.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for hemorrhoids and left knee degenerative arthritis effective April 4, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right distal radius are currently rated at 40 percent, and his cervical sprain with osteoarthritis is also rated at 40 percent. The Board has determined that these ratings adequately reflect the severity and symptomatology of the disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate medical opinion in a previous decision. The Veteran's claims of service connection are now pending and will be reconsidered after the completion of the requested examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and any necessary imaging studies to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability. The RO will then re-adjudicate the claim.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development to obtain medical records, provide a VA examination, and consider all evidence of record. The Veteran's service connection claims will be reconsidered in light of this additional information.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as a VA medical opinion regarding the relationship between her knee disabilities and service.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis disability has been manifested, at worst, with flexion from 0 to 140 degrees with pain starting at 140 degrees and extension to zero degrees with no pain; range of motion not limited by repetitive use. The Board finds that for the entire rating period, the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's insomnia has been rated at the highest available rating of 30 percent, effective from April 22, 2013. The other issues have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his military service and has denied his claim.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disorder, specifically osteoarthritis, is found to be service-connected as the evidence supports a link between his in-service activities and current symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck strain, osteoarthritis of the right shoulder, and bilateral hand osteoarthritis are related to his active service.

The Veteran's knee and lumbar spine disabilities are rated at the lowest possible level due to their current functional limitations. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent, as there is no evidence of ankylosis. The current 20 percent evaluation adequately reflects his functional impairment.