Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's right knee disability, including ankylosis and instability, warrants a 30 percent rating effective November 9, 2015.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and address procedural issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosed bilateral shoulder conditions, including impingement syndrome, osteoarthritis, rotator cuff tear, and rotator cuff tendonitis, did not have their onset during active duty service or are otherwise etiologically related to service. The preponderance of evidence supports a finding against granting service connection for the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability.

The Veteran's gout was found to be manifested by incapacitating exacerbations occurring three or more times per year, warranting a 40 percent disability rating. The criteria for higher ratings were not met for the other issues.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left knee has been evaluated at 10 percent since October 1987. The Board finds that her symptoms do not warrant a higher rating, and she is not entitled to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran is entitled to a 20 percent rating for his right shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis from July 1, 2011 to September 28, 2016. He is not entitled to any higher ratings during this period.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is rated at the maximum allowable under current criteria, and he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claims for PTSD and migraine headaches are granted with initial ratings of 30 percent each.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected left wrist and low back disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee was incurred during service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, which reflects limitation of motion to a flexion limited to 105 degrees and extension to zero degrees. The Board found no additional functional loss due to pain or after repetition.,The Veteran's DJD of the right fourth finger DIP joint has been ankylosed, warranting a noncompensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5227.,The Veteran's residuals of sphincterotomy have resulted in occasional rectal bleeding and leakage about two to three times per week. The Board found this not sufficient for a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right knee disorders, including his diagnosed right knee strain, degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis, internal derangement, and bipartite patella.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals regarding the increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right AC joint degenerative arthritis, right knee laxity, right knee degenerative arthritis, and pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to evaluate the severity of his service-connected right shoulder, left knee, and cervical spine disorders.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for TDIU, as well as the competent and credible evidence of record being at least in equipoise as to whether his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorders did not have their onset during active duty service or within one year of discharge, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The VA examiners provided opinions against the claims based on the lack of in-service trauma or injury leading to arthritis.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a comprehensive VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's left leg disability was rated at 30% since March 25, 2016. The right hand disability has been rated at 10% since March 25, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to a need for additional medical examination and records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar strain and osteoarthritis of the lower back, right ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to service.