Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Board has dismissed the appeal of entitlement to an increased rating for erectile dysfunction due to withdrawal. The claims of service connection for a skin rash, left shoulder disability, degenerative osteoarthritis, and left eye disability have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link between any claimed conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and disc herniation, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for the period from June 16, 2004, to November 13, 2005. His disability rating for his lumbar spine condition is 40 percent on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, right shoulder disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative arthritis of the low back as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service, and they are not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by painful motion and slight instability, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent. A separate 10 percent rating is assigned for left knee instability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, liver disorder, and various knee disabilities have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to an initial compensable rating for his septoplasty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right and left knee replacements and limited range of motion in the left ankle, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His acquired psychiatric disability is also service connected as secondary to his orthopedic conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral knees was denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's lumbar strain has been found to be limited in range of motion, but not severe enough for a higher rating. The current evaluation of 20% is maintained.

The Veteran's current right knee disorder is not service-connected as it was not present in service or within one year after discharge, and there is no link between his in-service injuries and the current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected dextroconvex, degenerative arthritis, vertebral body compression deformity at L1 has not resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less, nor has it caused favorable ankylosis. Therefore, a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities have not resulted in flexion limited to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees, which are the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, a left knee disability, and a right knee disability. The claim for service connection for a low back disability was also denied.

The Veteran's left and right knees are each rated at 10 percent for degenerative arthritis, but separate ratings of 10 percent for limited extension and 20 percent for instability and effusion have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective June 19, 2012. The claim for a separate rating for left leg radiculopathy was granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his right ankle disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating prior to April 24, 2015 and on or after April 24, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability does not result in loss or permanent loss of use of her foot, as she can still walk and use a cane with the assistance of prosthetic equipment.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the initial evaluations of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis with loss of cervical lordosis, as well as his chronic lumbosacral strain, were granted increased disability ratings. The rating for the intervertebral disc syndrome was set at 30 percent effective from June 5, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by the service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran's current right knee arthritis is attributed to gout and aging.