Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed left hip DJD and cervical spine degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's left knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disabilities are found to be secondary to his service-connected pes planus.,An initial disability rating of 20 percent for bilateral pes planus is granted effective October 2, 2012.

The Veteran's right knee injury residuals are currently rated at 10 percent, and she is seeking a higher rating. The Board found the evidence insufficient to warrant a higher rating under DC 5257 for instability.,The Veteran has degenerative arthritis of the right knee, but her range of motion does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under DCs 5260 or 5261. She is therefore entitled to a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis with non-compensable limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current allergy, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis are not service-connected. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his period of active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities do not warrant ratings greater than 10 percent under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the need to obtain Social Security Administration records and a VA examination of the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis, status post medial meniscus tear after February 4, 2015 has been productive of painful motion but with full extension and flexion to 55 degrees. The Board determined that the appropriate rating for the entire period prior to February 2015 should have been 10 percent. However, the Board denied an increased rating for the period after February 4, 2015.

The Veteran's right and left elbow conditions are found to be related to his in-service automobile accident, resulting in service connection.,The Veteran's right and left knee conditions are found to be related to his in-service automobile accident, resulting in service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in March 2016.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral wrist and knee disorders have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request to terminate his appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a left knee disorder, and right knee degenerative joint disease (including DM) and sleep apnea. The Veteran's obesity was found to be a substantial factor in the development of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and no jurisdiction remains for the merits of the case.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and osteoarthritis of the hands, do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 4, 2010 for the award of a 40% rating for left knee limitation of extension. The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 40% since this date.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disorder and its relationship to his service-connected bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Board has ordered further development due to the inadequacy of an August 2017 opinion and potential outstanding treatment records. The Veteran's meralgia paresthetica is being evaluated for its relationship to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and/or service-connected lumbar radiculopathy.

The Board found that new evidence submitted by the Veteran raised a reasonable possibility of substantiating his claim for service connection, but denied the underlying claim as there was no direct or presumptive link between his current right shoulder disorder and his military service.

The Veteran's income does not exceed the maximum annual pension rate (MAPR) for a Veteran with one dependent for calendar years 2011, 2012, and 2013. The expenses for room and board at [REDACTED] are properly deductible as unreimbursed medical expenses from the Veteran's countable income.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is service-connected, and he was granted a non-initial rating of 10 percent for his left knee osteoarthritis prior to July 15, 2015. He also received a non-initial rating of 30 percent for his status post left total knee replacement with osteoarthritis from September 1, 2016 and thereafter. The Veteran was granted TDIU.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorders, neurological disorder of the lower extremities (cramps, numbness, radiculopathy), and cervical spine disorder are secondary to his service-connected right ankle disability. Service connection for these conditions has been granted.