Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability, but denied service connection for left and right ankle sprains, right Achilles tendonitis, and right foot fracture residuals.,The Veteran's low back disability is presumed to have been incurred in service due to the nature of his military occupational specialty.

The Veteran's left knee disability warrants staged ratings of a combined 30 percent (20 percent under Code 5258 and 10 percent under Codes 5003-5260) prior to September 18, 2015; and a combined 20 percent (10 percent under Code 5259 and 10 percent under Codes 5003-5260), but no higher, throughout from that date.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to December 3, 2007 was denied as there was no evidence showing that forward flexion was 30 degrees or less.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, left hip, and lumbar spine disabilities as they were not caused or aggravated by any aspect of his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back strain, residuals of low back surgery, and degenerative arthritis were not incurred in or aggravated during service. The Board also noted that arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and right ankle disability status total ankle arthroplasty, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his period of service. The initial ratings assigned were also upheld.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of April 11, 2008, and therefore grants an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to incomplete medical records and need for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and medical opinions regarding his lumbar spine disorder, left hip osteoarthritis, and initial evaluation of his left foot disability. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU were granted. The Veteran was assigned a 30 percent rating for posttraumatic headaches, separate 10 percent ratings for right knee arthritis and left knee arthritis as of September 22, 2008, and an initial 10 percent rating for right ankle arthritis with a chronic tear of the anterior ligament. The Veteran was also granted TDIU.

The Board has granted an effective date of October 21, 2011 for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity quadriceps tendon tear with osteoarthritis, status post repair.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each, effective October 20, 2008. The Board found that higher ratings were not warranted under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected postoperative bilateral keratoma with metatarsalgia is currently rated at 30 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right knee disorder, and any right knee symptoms are more likely related to age-related osteoarthritis rather than service.,Service connection for a right knee disorder is denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and any current condition is less likely due to active duty service.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is rated at 70 percent, and her reflux sympathetic dystrophy of the right foot, lower leg, and ankle is rated at 40 percent. The other conditions are not increased.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are not related to his service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examiner opined that it is less likely than not that any diagnosis of osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis of the hands incurred in or was a result of the Veteran's service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar scoliosis, depression, left thumb disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, cervical spine disorder, gastritis, GERD, and hiatal hernia. The decision is granted as new and material evidence has been received.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his degenerative arthritis of the first metatarsal phalangeal joint of the right foot.