Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's malaria claim is denied. The Board finds reasonable doubt in the bilateral tinea pedis (jungle rot) claim and grants service connection. Service connection for residuals of basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer, including as the result of exposure to Agent Orange, is granted. Service connection for actinic keratosis and sebaceous cysts, including as the result of exposure to Agent Orange, is denied. The Veteran's left knee degenerative joint disease, status post arthroscopic surgery, and lumbar spine condition are found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis and chondrocalcinosis of the right knee, as well as his osteoarthritis of the left knee, are not related to service. The evidence does not show chronicity in service or continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's right great toe disability was rated at 10 percent prior to August 22, 2014, and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The other issues were not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, left elbow, right elbow, and right knee disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected chondromalacia of the left knee and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine are currently rated at their maximum levels. The Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to warrant a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease of the hips, but denied service connection for a cervical spine disability. The Veteran's current neck pain is more likely related to fibromyalgia than her arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to his service or service-connected right knee disorder, and thus denied his claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional information and a vocational assessment. The current service-connected left knee disability does not meet the minimum scheduler criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's TBI and right shoulder conditions are found to be related to service, warranting the grant of service connection for both.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the knees and ankles have been denied as there is no evidence that his conditions meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating during the appeal period.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was found to meet criteria for a 10 percent rating from November 1, 2006 to February 25, 2010.

The Veteran is granted a 30 percent rating for headaches and a 10 percent rating for the lower back disability prior to June 30, 2016. From June 30, 2016, the Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee Osgood-Schlatter's disease with osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to her military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, diabetic neuropathy, ischemic heart disease, colon cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, and degenerative joint disease/osteoarthritis of the whole body, were denied as there is no credible evidence supporting his assertions of in-service exposure to herbicides or captivity as a prisoner of war. The Veteran's statements are found to be unreliable due to inconsistencies with other evidence of record and facial implausibility.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied, as well as his request for an earlier effective date for service connection of left knee instability. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings or earlier effective dates based on the evidence of record.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosed osteoarthritis in bilateral knees is not related to service and thus denied service connection for a bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent for degenerative arthritis and a separate 20 percent rating for instability since February 7, 2017. The claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent has been granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected osteoarthritis with chronic strain of the lumbar spine and associated right and left lower extremity radiculopathy were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.