Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is found to be proximately due to her service-connected left ankle disability, and thus granted secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for the Veteran's claimed hypothyroidism and right knee condition. The evidence does not show a link between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was granted an increased rating to 30 percent from September 21, 2012 to September 15, 2016. The issues of a separate rating for brachial plexus neuropathy and TDIU were not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding the nature of his spine disability, skin conditions, and peripheral neuropathy. The examiner is asked to determine if any current disabilities are related to active service or aggravated by a congenital defect.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's ratings for bilateral knee disabilities from 30 to 10 percent was improper and restored the original 30 percent ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to his service-connected bilateral postoperative calcaneal fractures, right foot and left foot, with degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been productive of painful motion throughout the appeal period, warranting an initial rating of at least 10 percent effective November 1, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder osteoarthritis is less likely as not caused by or a result of his military service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his bilateral knee disabilities and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to December 13, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected IVDS was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 40 percent on a schedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and left shoulder disabilities did not have onset during active service or within one year of separation, nor are they causally related to his military service. The VA examiners concluded that there is no evidence of chronicity of these conditions post-service.

The Veteran's service-connected knee laxity and instability have been denied, but he is granted a separate 10% rating for each knee since December 4, 2014.,He has also been granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis associated with chondromalacia patella.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent prior to June 11, 2014. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected major depression disorder has been granted a 30 percent rating, effective October 29, 2011.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective March 29, 2011. The rating for frostbite of the left foot remains at 30 percent. Separate ratings were assigned for osteoarthritis of the left ankle, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and Raynaud's-like vascular disability of the left foot.

The Board has determined that a current right hip disorder is related to the service-connected right knee disability and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional attempts at obtaining private treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the earliest date of entitlement was January 31, 2011.,VA regulations do not allow for an earlier effective date for hepatitis B as it did not meet the criteria for a 10 percent evaluation prior to January 31, 2011.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the hips, finding that there was no nexus between the Veteran's current condition and his military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine arthropathy has been evaluated at a 20 percent rating since March 17, 2006. The evidence does not support an increase in the disability rating.