Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right knee disability, including instability and subluxation with osteoarthritis, was rated at 20 percent prior to February 9, 2006. From that date, the rating for limitation of motion with osteoarthritis increased to 30 percent. The Veteran also received a separate 10 percent rating for removal of semilunar cartilage from July 2005. Joint pain and locking were rated at 20 percent effective February 9, 2006.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, right hand disability, and bilateral CTS were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to her service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is found to be related to his service-connected back disability. The right knee and left knee disorders are not considered service connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee conditions, including osteoarthritis and a degenerative medial meniscus tear, are related to an in-service motor vehicle accident. The Veteran's complaints of continuous left knee pain since service have been considered credible.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his left knee disabilities and any necessary examinations for TDIU. The claims will be readjudicated after all development is completed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a bilateral hip condition with osteoarthritis, secondary to the service-connected compression fracture of T9-T10 with DDD of the lumbosacral spine. The Veteran's bilateral hip condition is more likely related to advanced age and many years of performing heavy work as a laborer.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with examinations to determine the severity of his left knee and right shoulder disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the nature and severity of his right knee disability.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right hip disorder and granted a 50% disability rating effective March 29, 2010. The reduction from 50% to 20% was not proper as there was no evidence of sustained improvement in the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee joint osteoarthritis and lumbosacral strain, finding that these conditions are related to her active military service.

The Board has determined that further development of the medical evidence is required to determine if the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee degenerative arthritis contributed to his death. The case is REMANDED for this purpose.

The Board found that the Veteran's current lumbar spine conditions are not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened and granted effective May 30, 2013. The Board also determined that the Veteran is entitled to an effective date of May 30, 2013 for his low back disability, right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, painful healed scar of the right forearm, and nonpainful healed scar of the right forearm.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not rated higher than 20 percent. The ratings for his bilateral ankle sprains with osteoarthritis have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was found to not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent, and his claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied.

The Board found no evidence of a current right wrist disorder or left wrist degenerative arthritis that is related to service.,The Veteran's skin condition other than his service-connected eczema and verruca vulgaris was not diagnosed during service.

The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU on a substitution basis for the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability. The issue of service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death is remanded due to failure to provide an SOC.

The Veteran's right foot disability, which includes postoperative bunionectomy, shortening of the proximal phalanx of toe, post-traumatic degenerative arthritis of the interphalangeal joint of the right toe with limitation of motion of first metatarsal phalangeal joint, is rated as 20 percent disabling under DC 5284.