Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability and gynecomastia are not related to service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities are related to her service-connected bilateral pes planus, and thus granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee instability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum rating available under DC 5257. The other issues have not been granted as they are either already covered by the current rating or do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that reducing the Veteran's disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine from 30 percent to 10 percent, effective April 1, 2010, was not proper.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to obtain outstanding VA and non-VA records relevant to his claims, including from Kenner Army Medical Clinic and Colonial Orthopaedics. The case will be readjudicated after all the evidence has been considered.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for osteoarthritis, right acromioclavicular joint with limitation of motion is being remanded due to the need for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claims for high cholesterol, left thumb disorder, left ankle disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and right shoulder impingement syndrome were denied as the evidence did not establish service connection due to lack of a diagnosed disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination to determine if his current diagnoses are related to a sprain he had in service.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a back disability, to include as secondary to his service-connected right knee and left knee disabilities. The Board has decided that additional development is needed due to the need for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current back disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right and/or left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claimed right knee disability, left leg stress fracture, and generalized osteoarthritis are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active service or within one year of discharge. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's low back disability is found to be incurred during service.,The Veteran's facial scar is found to be incurred during service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have begun during his active duty service. For both knees, the disability ratings are increased from 10% to 20%.

The Veteran's low back strain has been rated at 20 percent since May 11, 2010 to January 27, 2011 and from March 1, 2011 to July 29, 2014. The rating is based on symptoms resulting in an altered gait without ankylosis of the spine or flexion functionally limited to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, effective June 7, 2012. The disability has not resulted in ankylosis or recurrent subluxation/lateral instability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations on multiple service-connected disabilities has been withdrawn by the Veteran, and he is currently assigned a noncompensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the hips and fingers, finding that these conditions are secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's thoracic spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need to determine his active duty and ACDUTRA dates, as well as provide a VA examination to address whether his current knee disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran is not entitled to VA compensation benefits in lieu of military retired pay before September 17, 1998. The issue of the calculation of compensation benefits based on a September 17, 1998, election of compensation benefits in lieu of receipt of military retired pay is being remanded for further action.