Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The VA examiner found no additional disability resulting from the November 2008 examination, and concluded that the Veteran's back condition was already present prior to the examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee osteoarthritis has been granted, with a 20 percent evaluation effective February 4, 2015.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and left-side radiculopathy are found to be related to his service-connected right ankle fracture. His initial rating for the right ankle is increased from 10% to 20%, effective July 30, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right shoulder disabilities are not related to his service and have denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot osteoarthritis is service-connected, but his peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities is not.

The Veteran's left knee instability and degenerative arthritis have been rated at the maximum available rating of 30 percent since July 24, 2009.

The Board finds that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee is at least as likely as not due to his service-connected left knee disabilities, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge (VLJ). The issues on appeal are related to increased disability ratings and initial compensable rating for left knee conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and extra-schedular considerations have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or extra-schedular consideration for any of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to January 26, 2009. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 1, 2010 and at 30 percent as of December 1, 2010. The Board found the evidence in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran had moderate or marked limited motion of the left ankle prior to December 1, 2010, resulting in a grant of a 20 percent rating for that period. As of December 1, 2010, the evidence supported ankylosis in plantar flexion less than 30 degrees, warranting a 30 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for right ankle tendonitis and arthritis, as well as lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disorders. The acquired psychiatric disorder is not found to be related to his service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a new opinion on his ability to function in an occupational environment due to his service-connected PTSD and other disabilities.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his cervical spine DDD and left upper extremity radiculopathy was granted, with the effective date being September 3, 2008. The assigned ratings are 20 percent for cervical spine DDD and 40 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has determined that he is entitled to TDIU benefits.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee lateral meniscus tear and degenerative arthritis, finding that these conditions are as likely as not related to active duty and to service-connected left knee chondromalacia. The Veteran's gastritis is also found to be incurred during active duty.,Right hip disability was not found to be secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board found no evidence of a right leg disability or arthritis in service, and the current conditions are not otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to outstanding private treatment records and clarification on whether the Veteran wishes to withdraw her claim for service connection of bilateral shoulders.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition. The evidence does not support a higher rating as it does not demonstrate additional functional loss or impairment beyond what is contemplated by the current 30 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension are not service-connected. The claim for prostate cancer was withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision being made.