Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected mild degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right knee disability have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent, effective from the date of claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee osteoarthritis, status post surgery, have been caused or permanently aggravated by his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 20 percent since March 6, 2012 due to a partial meniscectomy. The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis and denied the TDIU claim.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for clarification of the VA examiner's opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disability and its relationship to service. The case will be returned to the agency of original jurisdiction for further consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's posttraumatic arthritis/osteoarthritis of the right hand/MCP joints is related to an injury she sustained during a period of inactive duty training (INACDUTRA) in March 2003, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis is found to be due to service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issue of an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss remains pending.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including a meniscal tear and osteoarthritis, is currently rated as 20 percent disabling from June 10, 2014. The Board has also granted an additional 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee prior to that date.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting right ankle soft tissue swelling and hematoma sprain did not increase in severity during service, thus denying service connection for this condition. However, it was determined that his current degenerative arthritis of the right ankle is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating, and referral for extraschedular consideration is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after the scheduled hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back and neck disabilities are not related to his active duty service, and denied both claims.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant's representative, resulting in its dismissal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not related to his military service.,Service connection was not granted for obstructive sleep apnea, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), a bilateral eye disability, residuals of a head injury, hypertension, gastrointestinal disorder, PTSD, an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, memory loss, insomnia, or a sleep disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disabilities and their impact on employment. The case will be reviewed again after this additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Osgood-Schlatter disease and left knee degenerative arthritis are causally related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right and left knee disabilities prior to specific dates have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis has not resulted in ankylosis or intervertebral disc syndrome with incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least six weeks during the past 12 months, thus preventing him from receiving a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to service or his service-connected left knee disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 40 percent for his service-connected low back disorder was withdrawn. The Board granted the TDIU claim, finding that the Veteran is unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia are secondary to his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis, low back strain, and bilateral pes planus. As a result, the appeal is granted.