Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and bilateral hip strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis. The initial rating for the left knee condition remains at 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, special monthly compensation based on the need for aid & attendance/housebound status, and temporary total rating based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence associated with a heart attack in March 2010 were denied. The Board also found that extraschedular ratings for his right knee disabilities and residuals of a fracture of the right fifth finger were not warranted.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for major depressive disorder, reopening of previously denied claims for left knee disability and low back disability (degenerative changes with low back pain) were remanded.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current hip, spine, and knee disabilities are not related to his in-service near-fall injury. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.,The VA examiners found no specific diagnoses for the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, cervical spine, or bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal in March 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, L4 to L5 spondylolisthesis, spinal stenosis, and scoliosis, is presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the right knee is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated records and scheduling an examination.

The Board denied a request for an effective date prior to January 15, 2008 for the award of service connection for lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's claim was granted in June 2008 with an effective date set at that time.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected major depressive disorder, right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, diagnosed as bone spur and impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tendinitis, and acromioclavicular (AC) joint osteoarthritis, did not manifest within one year of service discharge and is not linked to his service-connected left wrist and hand disabilities. Therefore, the claim for service connection for this condition has been denied.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating, reflecting significant occupational and social impairment. Depression is considered part of the service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent rating for post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the right great toe, effective May 20, 2016.,A 10 percent evaluation is also granted for left thigh muscle strain. The issue regarding multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities prior to February 17, 2015, has been resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right hand disability and finds in favor of granting service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, with reasonable doubt resolved in his favor.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for Parkinson's disease and granted it, but denied the other issues on appeal. The Veteran was not provided with a rating or effective date as his claims were all reopened.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been granted effective January 8, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left foot and right foot osteoarthritis are not related to his military service, and thus denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder degenerative arthritis is at least as likely as not related to his active service, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and residuals of a bilateral leg injury, finding that the Veteran's current conditions did not have their onset in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed hand and hip disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Board has determined that further development is required due to missing treatment records and a need for a VA examination. The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including osteoarthritis and rotator cuff syndrome, will be evaluated based on the available evidence.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is rated at 10%.,Cervical intervertebral disc syndrome was initially rated at 20%, and from September 27, 2013 to December 8, 2014, it was rated at 30%. From December 9, 2014, the rating is 30%.,Thoracolumbar spine DDD with lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome and thoracic disc herniation has been rated as 20% from December 9, 2014.,Peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity was initially rated at 30%. From December 9, 2014, it is rated at 30%.,Right hip strain has a rating of 10%.,Status post bilateral inguinal hernia repair with scars have been rated as 10% since August 30, 2002 and remains at 10%.,Left knee scarring was initially rated at noncompensable (0%) prior to September 27, 2013. From September 27, 2013, it is rated as 20%