Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if any current right knee disability is related to active duty, service-connected rheumatoid arthritis, or left knee osteoarthritis. The examiner must provide opinions on whether the Veteran's current right knee disability was caused by his service-connected conditions and whether it was aggravated by them.

The Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent since December 2, 2009. The Veteran's limitation of flexion and impairment of supination and/or pronation of the forearm are both rated at their maximum schedular ratings of 30 percent each. The Veteran's recurrent laryngeal papilloma is currently rated as 30 percent disabling since February 29, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot disability, characterized by osteoarthritis and hammertoe deformities, has been rated at 20 percent since the appeal period began. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate given the current severity of his symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current arthritis of the right shoulder is causally related to his in-service fall and dislocation, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated VA examinations and additional development of her claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a whiplash injury to the neck and shoulders requires an examination. Her hearing loss claim also needs a new VA examination, as does her TDIU claim due to her lumbar spine disability.,A VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran testified that her symptoms have worsened since the last evaluation in 2009.,The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a whiplash injury and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded, as well as her TDIU claim due to her lumbar spine disability.

The case is being remanded for additional development to ensure compliance with the Joint Motion and to address functional loss associated with the Veteran's service-connected knee and right shoulder disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral foot disability, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee disability prior to January 1, 2011 was denied. The RO assigned the current 10 percent rating based on limitation of flexion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right hip disability that is etiologically related to service. The claim for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and PTSD, as well as the TDIU issue, are also being remanded.

The Veteran's GERD is found to be secondary to medications used for his service-connected left shoulder disability. The TDIU claim will also be adjudicated as part of this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder and left knee disorder did not manifest within one year of service separation, and there is no evidence to support a finding of direct service connection. The disorders are considered to be unrelated to service.

The Veteran's claims of increased disability ratings for various service-connected disabilities, as well as the associated TDIU claim and several reopened claims, were denied due to her failure without good cause to report for necessary VA examinations.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain Social Security Administration records and for further development. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS, finding that it is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, effective April 6, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for a right tibia fracture, a right knee disability (osteoarthritis), and a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee injury. The lumbar spine disability is considered unknown due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's back disability has been characterized by limited range of motion, guarding and pain upon examination. The Board grants a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new VA examination. The Veteran's service connection claim for a left foot disability is pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, but denied service connection for scars on the arms and a disorder manifested by arteries in the legs. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.