Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling under DC 5020 by analogy to degenerative arthritis. The VA examinations and treatment records show that the Veteran has painful motion and noncompensable limitation of motion in both knees, with no additional functional impairment due to flare-ups or other factors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone did not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or confine him substantially to his dwelling and immediate premises.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful activity doing sedentary work consistent with his educational background, work experience, and training.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected left and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Board hearing due to her inability to travel for the scheduled hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected left knee, left hip, and left heel disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after these examinations are conducted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the Board is dismissing the case as there are no longer any issues to be decided.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis requires additional development due to lack of recent examination and incomplete VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right knee disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his bilateral knee disabilities and hearing loss, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's service-connected mild degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right knee disability have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent, effective from the date of claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee osteoarthritis, status post surgery, have been caused or permanently aggravated by his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 20 percent since March 6, 2012 due to a partial meniscectomy. The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis and denied the TDIU claim.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification of the VA examiner's opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disability and its relationship to service. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction for further consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's posttraumatic arthritis/osteoarthritis of the right hand/MCP joints is related to an injury she sustained during a period of inactive duty training (INACDUTRA) in March 2003, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis is found to be due to service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including a meniscal tear and osteoarthritis, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling from June 10, 2014. The Board has also granted an additional 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee prior to that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting right ankle soft tissue swelling and hematoma sprain did not increase in severity during service, thus denying service connection for this condition. However, it was determined that his current degenerative arthritis of the right ankle is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating, and referral for extraschedular consideration is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the scheduled hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back and neck disabilities are not related to his active duty service, and denied both claims.