Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, the highest available rating for limitation of flexion without compensable limitation of extension or other symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to missing VA treatment records and examination reports. The case will be reconsidered based on the available evidence.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent disabling based on limitation of motion. The Board finds no basis for a higher rating due to functional impairment.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent prior to March 28, 2014 and at 40 percent thereafter. The appeal was granted as the disability meets the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee osteoarthritis prior to August 30, 2012. The evidence did not show any limitation of motion or instability that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic knee disability in service or within one year post-service, and the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorders are not linked to his military service.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the rating for left shoulder tenosynovitis, osteoarthritis, status-post surgery with screw from 20 to 10 percent effective December 29, 2010 was proper and restoration is denied.

The Board has remanded both issues due to additional evidence being associated with the file and a need for issuance of an SOC regarding the issue of increased evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the hips.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right and left knee, hearing loss, and tinnitus. High cholesterol and hypertension are not considered disabilities under VA law.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records, verify stressors, and provide updated opinions regarding his acquired psychiatric disorder and left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for his bilateral knee disabilities were denied. The RO/AMC found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased evaluation prior to August 4, 2014 and on or after August 4, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus has been rated as 30 percent disabling since August 6, 2013. The Board finds that the symptoms warrant a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of increased evaluation for his service-connected right foot disabilities and TDIU are also being deferred.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were granted, with the right knee instability rated at 10 percent and the cervical osteoarthritis rated at 20 percent. The diabetes mellitus claim was not addressed as it is a separate issue.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee disabilities, as there is conflicting evidence about their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities and their impact on his employability.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder, including a partial rotator cuff tear and degenerative arthritis, is not service-connected. The issues of increased evaluations for left knee disability, right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, PTSD, and TDIU are also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding his ability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.