Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including providing the Veteran with a VA examination and ensuring compliance with its April 2014 remand instructions.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic low back pain and lumbar disc disease with degenerative arthritis are rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left knee and right fifth finger disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the loss of use of either foot or hand, and therefore he does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on the right shoulder, left foot plantar fasciitis, and second degree burn to the back have been denied. The claim for service connection for a benign essential tremor of the left hand has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for her right knee and migraine headaches were denied. The Veteran was assigned a 30 percent disability rating for chronic migraines, effective from September 17, 2015.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability or a disability for which service connection is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to arrange for a Board hearing due to scheduling issues. The Veteran requested a hearing but the initial notice was sent to the wrong representative and rescheduling requests were made.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 60 percent effective July 10, 2013. He was previously rated at 30 percent prior to that date.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, is related to her active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left and right knee disabilities have been granted. The effective date is not specified as the decision was issued in January 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment, and therefore the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for instability and another 30 percent for degenerative arthritis.,Both conditions are rated based on their impact on the Veteran's range of motion, with no additional limitations due to pain or other factors.

The Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent, and his chronic vasomotor rhinitis (previously characterized as chronic sinusitis) is rated at 10 percent. The appeal issues are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's claim for higher initial evaluations for his knee disabilities and a left index finger disability is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to September 18, 2009 and for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability present, as well as evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the right hip and lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy and spondylolisthesis, as well as degenerative arthritis of both knees. The Veteran's left inguinal hernia is also service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for hypertension, and there is no evidence of an in-service event or injury related to this condition. The VA examiner found no direct relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his claimed conditions.