Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder resulted in painful limitation of motion, with flare-ups resulting in forward flexion of 30 degrees or less. The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for the relevant period on appeal from February 16, 2011. From April 24, 2013, the Veteran was unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been manifested by a combined range of motion limited to, at worst, 210 degrees with pain; with muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait. The Board finds that an increased rating of 20 percent for this condition is warranted for the entire appeal period.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder joint, satisfied with a 20% rating effective March 11, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, the minimum rating for a moderate disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, effectively dismissing the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge appearing by live video teleconference (VTC).

The Board found that the Veteran's current right hand disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the CMC joint, is not related to service. The injury in service resolved prior to separation and there were no chronic symptoms after service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination and addressing the Veteran's claims of service connection and increased evaluation for his left ankle disability.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA Gulf War Protocol examination.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back disorders are not related to his military service and denies the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and back disability are not related to his active service, and thus denied these claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left and right knees. After considering all evidence, including VA examinations and treatment records, the Board finds that there is at least equipoise on the issue of whether these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome and osteoarthritis with right lower extremity radiculopathy were rated at 60 percent since October 8, 2011.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 30 percent, effective November 26, 2013. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus to military service or herbicide exposure. Service connection for ischemic heart disease was also denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support service connection for degenerative arthritis of the knees or neck, as these conditions were not shown to be related to military service.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis was manifested by no greater than complaints of stiffness and occasional swelling; objective findings of pain; effusion; dislocated cartilage; flexion to 95 degrees and extension to 95 degrees, not additionally limited following repetitive use. The criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for left knee arthritis were not met.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for further development, including consideration of new evidence and a VA examination. The appeal will be returned to the Board after this additional review.

The Veteran's left knee conditions have been rated based on their direct service connection, with a current rating of 10 percent for limitation of flexion associated with DJD and limitations in extension. The issues related to instability are addressed under the appropriate diagnostic code.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and degenerative arthritis of the left knee did not render him unemployable prior to September 1, 2015. The Board denied his claim for a TDIU during this period.

The Board has determined that the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and osteoarthritis of the left knee are not ripe for appellate disposition. The Veteran's claim for service connection for right spermatocele is also remanded due to a lack of an SOC.