Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the right ankle was denied, as his current disability level does not warrant a higher evaluation. The service connection claim for alcohol induced anxiety disorder, claimed as depression with alcohol dependency secondary to osteoarthritis of the right ankle, was also denied due to lack of legal merit.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to the need for new VA examinations and retrieval of relevant treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis and right knee osteoarthritis are not related to her service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service onset or chronicity.,Service connection for rheumatoid arthritis is denied as there is no evidence of its manifestation during service, and the April 2013 VA examiner opined that it is unrelated to service.

The Veteran is granted an annual clothing allowance for the year 2011 due to his service-connected knee disabilities causing premature wear of his clothing.

The Veteran's left ankle disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is not due to disease or injury that was incurred in or aggravated by service; nor may it be presumed to have been incurred therein. The VA examiner opined that the etiology of the Veteran's current left ankle condition was wear and tear on the bones of the left ankle due to obesity and age.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing a new opinion regarding whether the Veteran's numbness of the toes is related to his in-service cold injury/frostbite or other etiology.

The Board has remanded the case for extraschedular consideration of the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and for adjudication of his TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis of the knees, but denied service connection for a cardiac disorder. The Veteran's current diagnoses are in equipoise with respect to whether they are aggravated by his service-connected bipolar disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected IVDS and bilateral radiculopathy have been rated based on their current manifestations, with the right lower extremity receiving a higher rating than the left.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his left shoulder disability. The reduction in rating for residuals of fracture of the left scapula is also being remanded.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including a tear of the lateral meniscus and degenerative arthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent. Separate ratings for instability and limitation of motion are also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected back and neck disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher initial evaluation for either disability during the appeal period.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and TDIU, finding that the Veteran's current back disabilities were not related to his active duty service or service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity and symptomatology of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, including any loss of muscle or atrophy resulting from these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations and obtaining outstanding treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability is found to be secondary to his left knee disability, and he is granted service connection for a left knee disability. The rating for the right ankle disability remains at 30 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent since the effective date of service connection, and no higher ratings are warranted based on current evidence.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 40 percent, effective February 28, 2007. His cervical strain with degenerative arthritis is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examination and private medical records. The issues of a higher rating for low back disability and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100% since June 3, 2004. His tinnitus is service-connected and rated as secondary to his hypothyroidism. The Veteran's bronchitis is not compensable but warrants a rating of 100%. Other conditions are either not shown or do not warrant increased ratings.