Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's initial claims for service connection were received by VA less than one year after he separated from active service, and the disabilities originated while he was serving on active duty. The effective date of the awards is set to October 1, 2006.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently evaluated at 20 percent disabling for the entire appeal period, with limitation of forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees. The criteria for a higher rating are not met or nearly approximated.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disability and for service connection for a lumbar spine and left knee disabilities. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves the determination of appropriate ratings for her service-connected right knee disability, which includes osteoarthritis and a total knee arthroplasty. The case is currently pending as 'mixed' due to some issues being granted while others are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to comply with Correia v. McDonald and obtain any recent treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine was denied. The initial rating prior to April 4, 2013, and the subsequent rating from that date were both found not to meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board found no evidence to support service connection for the Veteran's right knee disability and denied her claim. For her left knee arthritis, she was awarded a 10% evaluation throughout the appeal period based on noncompensable limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his left shoulder condition has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting a rating greater than 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and osteoarthritis was granted a 50% rating since September 29, 2014.

The Veteran's thoracic spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to December 24, 2014. The VA examiner found that the Veteran had forward flexion limited to no worse than 60 degrees and no ankylosis of the thoracic spine.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for a right ankle or right leg disability, as the evidence does not support a finding of an in-service injury or disease and no link to current conditions. The Veteran's lay statements are considered along with the VA examination findings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities are not related to his military service. The Veteran's hearing loss is also denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder disorder is found to be service-connected. The Board also finds that the Veteran has a lumbar spine disorder and right and left leg disorders which are related to his service-connected post-operative residuals of a fracture of the right pelvis and right femur.

The Board has decided to remand this case for further development, including an addendum VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claim for a cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for callosities of both feet is being remanded due to the need for a new examination. Additionally, service connection claims for various foot conditions are also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected low back degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 40 percent effective July 30, 2014.

As of July 28, 2015, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in unemployability due to his anxiety disorder and lumbar spine osteoarthritis.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hip disability is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury, and grants service connection for this condition.