Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right hip and left hip, status post total hip replacement, are related to her military service. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the left knee, is related to his military service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for further development of evidence regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's bilateral great toes disability has been rated at 20 percent since July 1, 2008. For the period beginning on September 19, 2016, a higher rating of 60 percent is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder condition, an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis, and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis and internal derangement. The claim for a separate rating for left knee instability prior to January 4, 2016 was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him incapable of obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected back disability does not meet or approximate criteria for higher ratings from November 16, 2009 to November 29, 2013, and from December 12, 2015, forward.

The Veteran's left ulnar neuropathy is not service-connected as it did not manifest in service and there is no evidence of a nexus to his military service. The other diagnosed conditions are also considered unrelated to service.,For the period prior to July 11, 2012, the Veteran's tension headaches were rated at 10 percent based on their frequency and severity.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder resulted in painful limitation of motion, with flare-ups resulting in forward flexion of 30 degrees or less. The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for the relevant period on appeal from February 16, 2011. From April 24, 2013, the Veteran was unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been manifested by a combined range of motion limited to, at worst, 210 degrees with pain; with muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait. The Board finds that an increased rating of 20 percent for this condition is warranted for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder joint, satisfied with a 20% rating effective March 11, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, the minimum rating for a moderate disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, effectively dismissing the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge appearing by live video teleconference (VTC).

The Board found that the Veteran's current right hand disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the CMC joint, is not related to service. The injury in service resolved prior to separation and there were no chronic symptoms after service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination and addressing the Veteran's claims of service connection and increased evaluation for his left ankle disability.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA Gulf War Protocol examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back disorders are not related to his military service and denies the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and back disability are not related to his active service, and thus denied these claims.