Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2015

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and depression. The Veteran is entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent for his degenerative joint disease of the right knee and an initial rating of 50 percent or higher for his depression since June 30, 2011.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip disorder had its onset in service and is related to his service-connected right knee disability, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and the provision of his most recent VA outpatient treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied service connection for this condition. The bilateral hip disabilities were also denied as there was no evidence of a chronic disability during service.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims of service connection for his bilateral foot disorders, concluding that they were not incurred or aggravated by service and are not related to any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right knee total knee arthroplasty associated with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the minimum rating under Diagnostic Code 5055. The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease does not meet the criteria for a separate evaluation of more than 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee, left ring finger, and left little finger disabilities.

The Veteran has degenerative arthritis and DDD of the lumbosacral spine that is the result of disease or injury incurred during active military service.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral arthritis, status post patella fracture and arthroscopy, prior to March 30, 2010, did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis from May 12, 2006 through March 30, 2010 did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,For the period since June 1, 2011, the Veteran's left knee total arthroplasty met the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5055.,The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis from May 12, 2006 through June 27, 2011 did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.,For the period since August 1, 2012, the Veteran's right knee total arthroplasty met the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5055.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disorder and has determined that new evidence received since the last final denial raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The Board also found that the current right shoulder disorder is more likely related to post-service employment duties, including heavy lifting, rather than an in-service injury.

The Veteran's shell fragment wound of the right hand is currently rated at 30 percent prior to July 24, 2012 and at 20 percent since then. The degenerative arthritis of the right hand is rated at 10 percent effective July 24, 2012.,Compensable ratings are not warranted for scars associated with the shell fragment wounds of the right and left wrists.

The Veteran's thoracic spine osteoarthritis with chronic compression at T8 and T9 is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The VA examiner found that the Veteran has forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees but not greater than 85 degrees, resulting in a combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees. There was no evidence of muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in abnormal gait or spinal contour.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including consideration of the November 2014 VA examination reports and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case if any benefits are granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the shoulders is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and further development.

The Veteran's low back disability is found to be secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, and he is granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and disc herniation of the lumbosacral spine. The issue of service connection for neuropathy remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis prior to January 1, 2014 was denied. The disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sinusitis was incurred during active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability, which was previously rated at 40%, is now rated at 10%. The reduction in rating is based on improvement in the condition as evidenced by a VA examination showing no limitation of motion and no functional loss.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis is not service connected as it is not related to his military service or any service-connected disability, including diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's left knee disability was not found to warrant increased ratings prior to March 20, 2009. For the period from October 11, 2006 to March 20, 2009, a separate rating for painful motion in the right knee was granted.