Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is service-connected and rated at 20 percent. The right ankle and right foot disabilities are both rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for his scar, left wrist was granted. His service-connected tendinitis and mild degenerative arthritis of the right and left wrists were each assigned a 10 percent evaluation. The Veteran's bilateral elbow disorder and left knee disorder are not currently service connected. A TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's left hip strain is not productive of flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, extension limited to 5 degrees, ankylosis, limitation of rotation, limitation of adduction, limitation of abduction, flail joint, malunion or fracture of the femur, or the functional equivalent thereof.,The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is productive of flexion limited to 60 degrees or less but not of incapacitating episodes totalling at least 4 weeks per year, ankylosis, forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, combined range of motion limited to 170 degrees or less, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour, or the functional equivalent thereof.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not productive of incapacitating episodes, ankylosis, forward flexion limited to 30 degrees or less, combined range of motion limited to 170 degrees or less, muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour, or the functional equivalent thereof.,The Veteran's right elbow disability is productive of pronation motion lost beyond the last quarter of arc, but it is not productive of pronation motion lost beyond the middle of arc, ankylosis, flexion limited to 100 degrees or less, extension limited to 45 degrees or more, fracture with deformity, ununited fracture, a flail joint, malunion, nonunion, bone fusion, or the functional equivalent thereof.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left lower extremity conditions, including her knee injuries and arthritis, are not related to service. The evidence does not show a nexus between any current condition and in-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the right shoulder, post-surgical with frequent dislocation, does not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and VA medical opinions to address the Veteran's reported symptoms of decreased manual dexterity, problems with lifting and carrying, difficulty reaching, a bad mood, and pain medication effects for back pain.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder in December 2014, and the Court vacated this decision due to insufficient examination regarding congenital defects. The Veteran's claim remains pending.,A VA examiner diagnosed AC osteoarthritis in both shoulders but did not provide an opinion on whether it was related to military service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine has been evaluated at 20 percent since September 30, 2004. The Board found that his disability did not warrant a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other factors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee, meniscal tear and tendonitis of the right knee, kidney condition, and PTSD have all been denied. The Board finds that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found no evidence to support a direct relationship between the Veteran's in-service right knee injury and his current right knee osteoarthritis, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected right hand and fourth finger disabilities are not the cause of his current right wrist disability, but it is possible that compensating for the weakness in his hand by using his wrist over the years may have aggravated his right wrist.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective September 9, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of a current right leg or left leg disorder related to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Board has granted a separate 20 percent rating for the Veteran's neurological manifestations of his cervical spine disability, effective from when the claim was filed.

The Board has dismissed the claims of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee strain with degenerative arthritis and left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain as there is no pending appeal on these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such severity as to render him unemployable without regard to advancing age or the presence of any nonservice-connected disorders. The Board has granted TDIU.

The Board finds that service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine as it was incurred in active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability is not related to his active service and therefore denied service connection for this condition.