Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings have been granted, with a 20 percent rating assigned effective from August 29, 2005. The decision does not specify the exact date of effectiveness for the new rating.

The reduction of the rating from 10 percent to noncompensable for left shoulder disability was improper, and the original 10 percent rating is restored.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine disability remains denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals, right knee injury to include degenerative arthritis was denied as the Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected low back disability and remands the case for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral knee chondrocalcinosis and osteoarthritis is related to his military service, granting him service connection.

The Veteran's representative has alleged CUE in the May 2011 rating decision that granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with an effective date of July 7, 2009. The appeal is currently pending and a SOC must be issued to address the issue of entitlement to an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine was rated at 20 percent from September 1, 2010 to February 25, 2015 and denied a higher rating. From February 26, 2015 onwards, he is not entitled to any increased disability rating.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for left shoulder disability was denied. Service connection for right shoulder tendonitis and right knee sprain were granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding the Veteran's low back disability from October 2006 to March 23, 2011.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant treatment records and arranging a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on aid and attendance. The other issues were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left foot disabilities, including osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joints following bunionectomies, have been rated as noncompensable prior to April 29, 2010. The Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted for this period.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and determine the current severity of his service-connected right foot injury, as well as whether any other diagnosed conditions are related to his in-service injury. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain an appropriate examination and determine his eligibility for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's claims for diabetes mellitus, type II, subluxation of L4 (lumbar spine disability), right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis were all denied as they are not related to military service.,All conditions first manifested years after service and are unrelated to military service; none are caused or aggravated by service-connected hypothyroidism and Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of her service-connected right knee disability and obtain any recent treatment records.

The Board granted an effective date of December 14, 2010 for the award of service connection for right ankle degenerative arthritis with internal derangement. The Veteran's original claim was denied in August 1998 and reopened on December 14, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for consideration of new evidence, including a May 2015 examination report. The case will be reconsidered by the AOJ.

The Board has granted service connection for a right elbow disability, including right medial epicondylitis with cubital tunnel syndrome and osteoarthritis of the right elbow, effective from October 26, 1987.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and right shoulder disabilities were found to be as severe prior to May 6, 2013 as they were shown to be during the VA examination conducted on that date. The initial ratings of 20 percent for the lumbar spine disability and 10 percent for the right shoulder disability are granted.