Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to April 4, 2003 and denied an earlier effective date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a disability of the hips or knees that was incurred in service or is otherwise related to any disease, injury or event in service. The preponderance of evidence favors the conclusion that the Veteran's current hip and knee disabilities are unrelated to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of new evidence and potential for staged ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot disabilities, including degenerative arthritis and onychomycosis.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability is not etiologically related to his service, including a ruptured rectus femoralis muscle during service and his MOS duties as a physical therapy specialist.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining his VA vocational rehabilitation folder and a comprehensive examination to assess the functional effects of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied, as his condition did not meet criteria for a higher rating. The effective date for service connection was also denied due to lack of evidence showing entitlement arose within one year after separation from active duty.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, a right leg disorder, and a left leg disorder. The claim for low back disorder was reopened but not adjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder was denied in September 1972, and the Board has now granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records.

The Board denied entitlement to increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to May 11, 2011 and right hip disability prior to November 6, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee disabilities (degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees) based on a finding that symptoms have been continuous since service separation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease have been denied as these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right leg and ankle disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hammer toes was denied as the schedular criteria are adequate to rate the disability under consideration at all pertinent points.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records from the Chicago VA, and for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 20 percent since December 9, 2008. Effective September 4, 2015, the Veteran is also entitled to a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of right knee extension and a 20 percent rating for limitation of right knee flexion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and treatment records.