Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent effective December 9, 2015. The rating is based on the presence of forward flexion to 10 degrees.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left hand and the disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected residuals of a traumatic laceration with scar of the left hand prior to August 6, 2015, and 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability and osteoarthritis of the left knee are not related to her military service, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected right hand conditions, including a fracture to the fifth metacarpal and degenerative arthritis, are currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is productive of forward flexion limited to less than 30 degrees but not less than 15 degrees, warranting a 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to inadequate statement of reasons or bases in the April 2015 decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to her military service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of worsening since the last examination.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee chondromalacia and found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of left knee chondromalacia was incurred in service. The issue of an increased rating for right foot great toe osteoarthritis is remanded due to a lack of recent VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, or bilateral hip disorder. The claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disorder is denied as there is no direct evidence linking it to military service.

The Veteran's left pectoral tear with surgical repair and osteoarthritis has been rated at 30 percent since March 31, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for separate evaluations based on instability of his service-connected right and left knee degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation based on her education and work experience prior to August 13, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude substantially gainful employment for the period from March 17, 2014. The TDIU is granted effective March 17, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as his claims for service connection for tinnitus and PTSD, were granted. The effective dates of the decisions are not specified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder did not have its onset during service or within a year of discharge, and is not related to any in-service injury. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's back disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's right ankle fracture with residuals of osteoarthritis resulted in moderate symptoms of pain and limited motion, warranting a 20 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder degenerative arthritis is attributable to service, warranting service connection. The claim for a left bicep disability was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video conference hearing on all issues.