Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's diagnosed degenerative arthritis of the spine is related to his service-connected right knee strain and left knee strain, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability and his TDIU claim are both remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU was denied, and the effective date of service connection for his left iliac crest fracture residuals condition was found to be August 12, 1993. The initial evaluation for this condition remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral ankle disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, was not caused or aggravated by any aspect of service and did not manifest during service or within one year of separation.,The presumption of soundness is rebutted and the Veteran's left hip disability pre-existed his November 2002 active duty service.,The Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as chondromalacia patella degenerative changes, was not caused or aggravated by any aspect of service and did not manifest during service or within one year of separation from service.,There is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran has an acquired psychiatric disorder that had its onset in service, manifested within one year of separation from service, or is otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher ratings for his lumbar spine with radiculopathy disability, service connection for a right shoulder disability, and TDIU prior to January 3, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, including DJD and instability, was rated at 20 percent prior to December 9, 2011. The RO granted a separate rating of 10 percent for limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evidentiary development, including additional Compensation and Pension examinations to assess the severity of his right knee and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with bilateral great toe osteoarthritis was rated at 50% effective March 24, 2016. Prior to that date, the disability had been rated as 0%. The increase in severity of symptoms occurred on or after July 18, 2013.

The Board finds that the Appellant's lumbar spine disorder and bilateral hand neurological disorders are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during service or continuity of symptomatology after service. The VA examiners concluded that these conditions were less likely caused by or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for her right knee disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to October 14, 2010; from January 1, 2011 to March 20, 2012; and from June 1, 2012 to August 27, 2012. The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent since October 1, 2013 was also denied.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis with three scars has not resulted in a disability rating higher than 10 percent prior to November 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unemployable due to their combined effect, as his overall disability rating is at least 70% and he has the ability to perform substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, characterized by degenerative arthritis with extensive cartilage loss, chronic ACL tear, and extensive medial meniscus tear, warrants a 20 percent rating for the entire period covered by this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to his service, and thus, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee disability, including lateral meniscal tear and osteoarthritis. The claim for scars was not granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosed lumbar degenerative arthritis is not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right knee and left hip disabilities.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional medical opinions to address the impact of his service-connected scoliosis on his other thoracolumbar spine disabilities and any possible neurological complications.