Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his degenerative arthritis of the bilateral knees and enlarged prostate with urinary frequency were denied. The Veteran's hemorrhoids are rated at 10 percent, but not compensable.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evidentiary development, including a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and left knee osteoarthritis began in service and have persisted since then, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's right elbow disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are each rated as non-compensable. However, the Veteran's lip scar is rated at a compensable level of 10 percent.,The Veteran meets the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation for his lip scar.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee was productive of extension limited to 15 degrees from April 9, 2010, to May 4, 2015, warranting a 20 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's moderately advanced osteoarthritis changes of the right great toe are rated at 10 percent, effective from November 14, 2007. His bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 50 percent, effective March 17, 2012.

The Board denied higher disability ratings for bilateral knee arthritis and instability, finding that the current 20 percent ratings adequately compensate the Veteran for his limitation of motion, pain, and functional limitations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver and degenerative arthritis of the bilateral knees, finding that there is no evidence to support a secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and needs further medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability did not preclude him from obtaining TDIU. The Veteran appealed the decision regarding his right shoulder disability to the Court, which vacated the portion of the June 2014 Board decision holding that TDIU was not raised by the record.

The Board found that the Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities (40% for lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the spine and 10% for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy) did not meet the schedular threshold for TDIU. The Director denied entitlement to a TDIU on an extraschedular basis, concluding that it was possible he could be substantially gainfully employed in a sedentary occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was withdrawn. The claims for service connection for bilateral knee and elbow disabilities, as well as migraine headaches, secondary to service-connected conditions, have been denied due to lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease post myocardial infarction and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective July 2, 2005. The Veteran's calcaneal spur of the right heel (claimed as tendonitis of the right heel) and right ankle disability were also found to be related to his service.

The competent medical evidence does not demonstrate that the Veteran's current right knee disorder had an onset during his period of service or is otherwise related to his active duty. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that it is proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his claims, and the Board does not have jurisdiction over these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back, right leg, left leg, and left eye disabilities are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected left ankle osteoarthritis, status-post open reduction internal fixation with scars is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the right knee, including consideration of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in a prior rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for asbestosis has been denied. The issues of service connection for type II diabetes, heart condition (also claimed as congestive heart failure), osteoarthritis, hyperlipidemia, and TDIU have not been addressed.