Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's left ankle osteoarthritis is characterized by pain and limitation of endurance, more nearly approximating moderate limitation of motion than marked limitation of motion. The Board finds the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent are not met.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by pain and stiffness, was rated at 10 percent prior to April 12, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the bilateral hands and diabetes mellitus are service-connected based on direct evidence.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis, effective from March 14, 2017. The issue of entitlement to an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and his Vocational Rehabilitation folder. The claims for increased rating and TDIU will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's combined disability rating has been consistently at 80 percent since March 9, 2006. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Veteran's left elbow disability, including osteoarthritis and radial fracture with internal fixation, is rated as noncompensable for flexion and extension prior to February 23, 2016, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other service connection theory.

The VA determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to his service or service-connected left total knee replacement, and therefore denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral patellofemoral syndrome, bilateral knee strain, and left knee degenerative arthritis are etiologically related to his period of active service and to his service-connected bilateral shin splints. As such, the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action. The issues related to his right shoulder, knee, and hypertension are being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including ratings for PTSD, anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss, right knee condition with osteoarthritis and scars, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. The case is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine since January 24, 2009. The Veteran is seeking an initial rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's orthopedic disorders, including meralgia paresthesia of the left leg/thigh and osteoarthritis of the left knee, chronic muscular strain of the cervical spine, chronic muscular strain of the AC joint, and chronic muscular strain superimposed on degenerative instability of the lumbar spine, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board finds that these conditions are less likely than not related to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since November 14, 2014. She is also entitled to TDIU prior to February 19, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine was denied, as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to March 4, 2015, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for the Veteran's service-connected facet osteoarthritis with right L5 pars interarticularis defect of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion or other factors such as pain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were granted, while his service connection claims for left knee and shoulder arthritis were denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to evaluate his left and right knee disabilities.

The Board denied claims for compensable ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right big toe and residuals of a fracture of the fifth metatarsal of the left foot, finding that the evidence did not support the assignment of any higher evaluations under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.