Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further action. The issues related to his right shoulder, knee, and hypertension are being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including ratings for PTSD, anxiety disorder, bilateral hearing loss, right knee condition with osteoarthritis and scars, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. The case is being remanded to schedule the Veteran for a videoconference hearing.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine since January 24, 2009. The Veteran is seeking an initial rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's orthopedic disorders, including meralgia paresthesia of the left leg/thigh and osteoarthritis of the left knee, chronic muscular strain of the cervical spine, chronic muscular strain of the AC joint, and chronic muscular strain superimposed on degenerative instability of the lumbar spine, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board finds that these conditions are less likely than not related to service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder has been rated at 70 percent since November 14, 2014. She is also entitled to TDIU prior to February 19, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine was denied, as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to March 4, 2015, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for the Veteran's service-connected facet osteoarthritis with right L5 pars interarticularis defect of the lumbar spine, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion or other factors such as pain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were granted, while his service connection claims for left knee and shoulder arthritis were denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to evaluate his left and right knee disabilities.

The Board denied claims for compensable ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right big toe and residuals of a fracture of the fifth metatarsal of the left foot, finding that the evidence did not support the assignment of any higher evaluations under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was rated at 10 percent prior to October 24, 2016, and denied a higher rating.,Since October 24, 2016, the Veteran's disability has been rated at 20 percent and remains denied.

The Veteran's left heel spur condition was largely asymptomatic prior to June 27, 2016. For the period beginning June 27, 2016, his disability has been manifested by moderate symptomatology.,For the period beginning June 27, 2016, the Veteran's right shoulder condition was rated at 20 percent effective September 23, 2016. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is found to be secondary to his service-connected pes planus and plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to be aggravated by his service-connected sinusitis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee arthritis affecting extension was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion warranting an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show more than slight instability in either knee, which does not warrant a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, characterized by painful motion and without ankylosis or other severe impairment, warrants a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining medical records and examining his employability given his service-connected disabilities. His claims for secondary psychiatric disorder and increased ratings are also pending.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current left wrist and right shoulder disabilities to his time in service.,The preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for service connection.