Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's residuals of a fracture of the right tibia and fibula were rated 20 percent from September 3, 2008 to April 15, 2013; 20 percent from April 16, 2013 to August 13, 2014; and 30 percent on and after August 14, 2014. The Veteran's scars were rated 20 percent from September 3, 2008 to April 15, 2013; 30 percent from April 16, 2013 to August 13, 2014; and 40 percent on and after August 14, 2014. The Veteran's claims were granted.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his current left knee disability is related to his military service, and denied the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected low back and right knee disabilities. The issues on appeal are whether the Veteran is entitled to increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, posttraumatic arthrosis of the right foot, and degenerative arthritis of the left knee was denied. The Veteran's current disabilities are rated based on their functional impact.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the left and right knees are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further proceedings due to the need for additional VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral knee and leg disability did not begin during service, was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition, and is not otherwise related to military service. The claims for increased ratings were also denied as there was no evidence of worsening since January 3, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying specific dates of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA, obtaining VA medical examination in conjunction with the claim, and providing a supplemental medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right elbow conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee and ankle disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, a left knee disability, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip osteoarthritis is related to service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left and right knee disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not otherwise directly related to his period of active duty. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that it was proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine and right shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for headaches has been granted, with the highest available rating of 50 percent effective from July 2006. The remaining claims are being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's current right shoulder, bilateral knee, and bilateral hip disabilities are found to be proximately caused by his service-connected right foot, left foot, and right ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated as 10 percent prior to June 12, 2009. The Board found that the evidence did not show symptoms approximating more than malunion of the tibia and fibula with slight knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder and tinnitus are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disabilities, including osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease, are not caused by his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected knee and shoulder disabilities. The issues include seeking higher initial ratings for these conditions.