Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's bilateral degenerative arthritis with bilateral pes planus and hallux valgus is rated at 50 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5276. The right knee degenerative arthritis with subluxation prior to February 20, 2014 is also rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral hip strain, right shoulder osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis are not related to his service or any service-connected disability. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities of bilateral ankle, hip, and knee conditions are not service connected as they are not related to his active duty service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions and records to address his right knee disorder claim and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, neck disability and increased evaluation for residuals of left ankle sprain are being reopened. The issues have been remanded to ensure proper development.

The Veteran's service-connected lateral patellar subluxation of the left knee is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, effective from March 8, 2012. Her service-connected degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) of the left knee remains rated at 10 percent prior to that date and 20 percent thereafter.

The Board found that the Veteran's varicose veins, low back disability, and bilateral ankle disability are not related to his active duty service or caused by or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disability. Therefore, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing VA records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected disabilities. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran was not diagnosed with a chronic bilateral shoulder/arm disability at any point during the appeal period.,A chronic bilateral hand disability was not manifest in active service, arthritis of the hands was not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of discharge from active duty, and any bilateral hand disability was not otherwise etiologically related to active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a supplemental opinion from the VA examiner regarding the Veteran's neck disability and its relation to his active duty service.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the spine, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and traumatic arthritis of the hips are also found to be related to his service-connected back disability. Traumatic arthritis of the knees is also found to be related to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach disorder, increased rating for right ankle disability, and initial ratings for degenerative arthritis of the shoulders and knees were denied. The reduction in evaluation for chronic lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease was also found to be improper.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right shoulder degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and lumbosacral strain have been denied as his conditions do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to November 30, 2010, for the grant of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee was denied. The decision found that there was no evidence of a chronic disability involving the left knee at the time of his original claim in April 1992.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for right knee medial meniscus tear, osteoarthritis, and anterior cruciate ligament tear due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the left knee is not related to his active military service and therefore denies service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including a total knee arthroplasty and meniscectomy, is rated at 30 percent effective October 1, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is directly related to his active duty service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee is found to be due to service, and thus service connection is granted.