Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis was caused by her service-connected right ankle fracture repair, and thus granted her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since March 2011. The Board found that the current rating adequately compensates for his symptoms, including pain and functional loss due to weakness, incoordination, and flare-ups.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to deficiencies in the Board's analysis and need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability warrants a 20 percent rating throughout the increased rating period on appeal, based on symptomatic removal of meniscus and limitation of motion.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular requirements for TDIU, but refers the issue to the Director of Compensation and Pension Services for extraschedular consideration due to his inability to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 40 percent prior to September 24, 2012 and has been reduced to 20 percent since then. The right lower extremity radiculopathy is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's left knee and right knee disabilities are found to be related to his service-connected degenerative disc syndrome of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bursitis and DDD (also claimed as osteoarthritis) of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine has been denied. The Board found that there is no separate 'bursitis' disorder with symptoms not overlapping or duplicating symptomatology already compensated through service connection, nor would a grant warrant separate service connection for any asserted joint or body part affected.,The Veteran's claim for DDD (also claimed as osteoarthritis) of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine has also been denied. The Board found that there is no evidence showing onset of such conditions during service, nor are they related to service in any other way.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA records and providing a VA orthopedic examination to address the current severity of any residuals of a left knee injury with degenerative joint disease. The examiner is also requested to provide an opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that any right knee, left shoulder, cervical spine, or lumbar spine disorder is aggravated by the service-connected left knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing and further development of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining outstanding medical records. The issues of increased rating for low back disability and service connection for sleep apnea syndrome are both pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability during service or that any current disabilities are related to service.

The Board has determined that an effective date earlier than November 10, 2010 for the assignment of a 10 percent rating for status post fracture of middle finger of left hand and osteoarthritis with scar is denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the ratings for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and chronic low back strain prior to October 26, 2015. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and lack of medical records, requiring a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current bilateral hand disabilities are related to his service.

The Veteran's hammer toe deformity of the right second toe with osteoarthritis is manifested by pain, difficulty balancing and walking. The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals, left knee injury, to include osteoarthritis and meniscectomy, are not etiologically related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against this claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of her service-connected right knee disability and additional development of her claims file.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnoses of right hip, right knee, left knee, and lumbar spine disabilities are not related to his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in 1968. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 80 percent, which meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU. The Board finds that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of his service-connected disabilities and grants a TDIU.