Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and total left knee arthroplasty. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury as a cargo handler during his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his left knee post-traumatic osteoarthritis disability was denied, and the issue of TDIU prior to March 14, 2013 was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left AC joint was granted with an effective date of August 4, 2003.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and bilateral shoulder disabilities, finding no evidence of in-service injury or chronic condition that would warrant granting these claims.

The Veteran's left ankle and right foot disabilities have worsened since her last VA examination, necessitating a new examination to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee instability rating is restored to a 10 percent effective February 1, 2018. The left and right knee disabilities are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's low back disability has been granted service connection, but a higher rating is being requested. The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine the current level of severity.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome disability is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher disability rating and entitlement to total disability rating due to service-connected disability have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn his appeals.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for clothing allowances for his right knee and right wrist braces due to lack of evidence showing wear and tear on his clothing. The left knee brace was found to cause wear and tear, but no service connection is in effect for a right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for congestive heart failure, kidney and lung conditions, and osteoarthritis due to exposure to ionizing radiation have been dismissed as the appeal is moot due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative osteoarthritis, right hip and scar, right hip are granted with a non-compensable rating. The effective date for these grants is August 10, 2007.

The Veteran's low back pain with degenerative arthritis is rated at 50% effective December 1, 2014. The Board found that the evidence showed unfavorable anklyosis of the thoracolumbar spine due to painful motion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his left knee disorders, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of preexisting left knee OCD that was aggravated by service. The post-service meniscal tear, osteoarthritis, and total knee replacement were not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded to determine the appropriate rating for his right knee disability after May 1, 2020. The current ratings are denied.

Service connection is granted for right and left knee osteoarthritis, acute idiopathic tachycardia (rapid heart rate), gynecological disability, status-post myomectomy for uterine fibroids, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability.

The Veteran's left hip disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating based on range of motion or other criteria.,The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating based on range of motion or other criteria.,The Veteran's left heel injury disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating based on severity or functional impact.,The Veteran's left heel skin graft site disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds no evidence to support a higher rating based on the nature of the scar.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen service connection for a right knee disability was granted. The appeal to reopen service connection for ischemic heart disease was denied.