Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and hip disabilities have been denied. The RO found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right lower extremity gout, but denied service connection for hypertension and left arm disability (claimed as osteoarthritis).,Service connection was established for right lower extremity gout based on a diagnosis of gout in the left lower extremity. The Veteran's gout in the right lower extremity is considered part of this underlying systemic disease.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has determined that there is no current disability of the right hand.,There is a current diagnosis of osteoarthritis of the left fifth metacarpal phalangeal joint, but it did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's right knee condition is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine if it is at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his left knee injury.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to assess the current severity of his service-connected left shoulder and asthma disabilities.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal due to her withdrawal of appeals for reopening service connection claims and denied her increased evaluations for right knee disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. Service connection was denied for sleep apnea due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disability, diagnosed as hallux rigidus and osteoarthritis, is not related to service or a service-connected disorder. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current condition is proximately due to or aggravated by any service-connected disorders.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including ankylosis and instability, warrants a 30 percent rating effective November 9, 2015.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and address procedural issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed bilateral shoulder conditions, including impingement syndrome, osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tear, and rotator cuff tendonitis, did not have their onset during active duty service or are otherwise etiologically related to service. The preponderance of evidence supports a finding against granting service connection for the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability.

The Veteran's gout was found to be manifested by incapacitating exacerbations occurring three or more times per year, warranting a 40 percent disability rating. The criteria for higher ratings were not met for the other issues.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left knee has been evaluated at 10 percent since October 1987. The Board finds that her symptoms do not warrant a higher rating, and she is not entitled to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent rating for his right shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis from July 1, 2011 to September 28, 2016. He is not entitled to any higher ratings during this period.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is rated at the maximum allowable under current criteria, and he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claims for PTSD and migraine headaches are granted with initial ratings of 30 percent each.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected left wrist and low back disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee was incurred during service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, which reflects limitation of motion to a flexion limited to 105 degrees and extension to zero degrees. The Board found no additional functional loss due to pain or after repetition.,The Veteran's DJD of the right fourth finger DIP joint has been ankylosed, warranting a noncompensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5227.,The Veteran's residuals of sphincterotomy have resulted in occasional rectal bleeding and leakage about two to three times per week. The Board found this not sufficient for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disorders, including his diagnosed right knee strain, degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis, internal derangement, and bipartite patella.