Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's Parkinson's disease has been granted service connection, and he is currently receiving a 10 percent disability rating for his degenerative arthritis of the right knee. The RO also granted separate compensable ratings for limitation of flexion and extension of the left hip.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his claimed conditions are not causally or etiologically related to service, including any injury or event therein.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current thoracic and lumbar spine osteoarthritis is not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not show a direct link between his in-service scoliosis diagnosis and his current condition, nor does it demonstrate continuity of symptoms since discharge.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by limited flexion and extension, has been rated at 10 percent prior to September 4, 2009, and at 20 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, with the exception of the time period from March 26, 2012 to April 30, 2013 when he had a 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's bilateral hip condition, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis was granted service connection. The left knee disability and varicose veins claims are pending.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss due to clear and unmistakable error in the August 1989 rating decision. The Veteran's sensory deficit of the left lower extremity and lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis remain pending issues, as does his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the June 1980 rating decision that denied service connection for a low back condition, thus denying the claim for an earlier effective date based on CUE.

The Board has granted service connection for a left hip disability secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disability and has also granted an initial evaluation of 30% for his heart disability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and right shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis based on direct service connection. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his active service.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right hip was established by X-Ray findings within one year of separation from active service and manifested to a degree of at least 10 percent disabling during that time, allowing for presumptive service connection.

The Veteran's current right shoulder and right knee conditions are found to be related to his military service.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with sleep apnea, which is presumed to have developed during his active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed left leg and foot disabilities, as previous examinations were inadequate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee diagnoses of patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative arthritis are related to his active service, resolving reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's neck disability is rated at 60 percent, effective February 26, 2002. The Board finds that the current rating of 60 percent adequately reflects the severity of his cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection for left shoulder disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability are being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records, including from Mather VA Medical Center. A new VA examination is also required.

The Veteran is not entitled to an increased rate of special monthly compensation based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.