Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is service connected, but his left shoulder disability cannot be linked to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and improper reduction of her disability rating, finding that she was not entitled to either.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent, the highest available rating under Diagnostic Code 5262 for impairment of the tibia and fibula. The claim for service connection for left knee arthritis and degenerative arthritis of the back and hips has been granted as secondary to the service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any right ankle, bilateral foot, left knee iliotibial tendonitis, or lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, IVDS and stenosis disabilities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations of his lumbar spine disability has been denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation at any point.

The Veteran is currently service connected for multiple disabilities, including major depressive disorder, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar and cervical spine, radiculopathy of the right upper and lower extremities, and tinnitus. His current combined rating is 80 percent. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that there is no medical nexus linking the Veteran's current bilateral foot disorder to an in-service cold injury or any other service connection theory, and denied the claim.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 40 percent since the effective date of service connection, and his right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are each rated at 10 percent.,Both the right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for a back condition and bursitis of the left hip. Service connection was denied for bilateral pseudophakia, skin cancer, and an effective date earlier than August 4, 2008 for SMC.,Service connection was also denied for an effective date earlier than November 17, 2008 for DEA.

The Veteran's claims for left ankle osteoarthritis and a left hammer toe deformity were granted as secondary to his service-connected left pes planus with metatarsalgia. The effective date of the grant is set at April 1, 2015.

The Veteran's lumbar spine, right lower extremity neurological, and right hip disabilities are caused by his service-connected right knee disability.,Your current lumbar spine, right lower extremity neurological, and right hip disabilities were caused by your service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent since March 28, 2014. The Board found that the evidence did not show IVDS or indicate the occurrence of any incapacitating episodes, and thus the alternate rating formula for IVDS was not applicable.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the right pinky finger and a back disability. The case will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee instability prior to August 10, 2011 was denied as the evidence did not show more than slight instability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right and left shoulders is being remanded due to a scheduling issue. The hearing has been scheduled, but no date or time has been provided yet.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of left knee injury with degenerative arthritis, status post meniscectomies and total knee arthroplasty prior to January 11, 2016 was denied. The claim for a compensable rating for laxity of the left knee from January 1, 2011 through January 10, 2016 was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction and whether it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to military service. As a result, the criteria for service connection have been met and the claim is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent since May 2009. The VA examiner found no significant effects on the Veteran's usual occupation due to his knee conditions, but noted pain and limited range of motion in both knees.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and central vertigo have been denied.,Prior to June 8, 2016, the Veteran was not entitled to a higher evaluation for her vertigo. From June 8, 2016, she is now eligible for a 30 percent rating.