Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's back disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to August 22, 2014. Effective March 1, 2015, his disability warranted a 40% rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not related to her active service, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection.,Similarly, the Board found no evidence of a current left knee disability within one year after discharge from service, and therefore cannot establish service connection based on chronicity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to assess the current severity of her thoracolumbar spine disability and femoral nerve impairment, including any associated bowel impairment. The case will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee osteoarthritis is not related to his active duty service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the right and left wrists were denied. The right wrist was rated at 10 percent, while the left wrist was rated based on unfavorable ankylosis with ulnar deviation.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was granted a 20 percent rating, effective June 30, 2008. A separate 30 percent rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy from June 30, 2008 to September 1, 2009 was also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left hip osteoarthritis, including post-arthroplasty for the left hip, are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected conditions, and thus grants service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death. The claim for accrued benefits is denied as there were no pending claims at the time of the Veteran's death. The Appellant's request for entitlement to a death pension is remanded due to the conflict in determining whether the Veteran's death was service-connected or not.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder, right ankle, and right knee disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year after service. The VA examiners found no evidence of aggravation beyond expected progression.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of dislocation of the right shoulder, medial meniscus tear and osteoarthritis of the right knee, and hypertension have been denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a rating greater than 20 percent for dislocation of the right shoulder prior to October 18, 2011, and 40 percent thereafter. For medial meniscus tear and osteoarthritis of the right knee, the Veteran's symptoms have been limited to extension functionally limited to not less than 90 degrees and extension limited to not more than 0 degrees. For hypertension, the evidence did not support a rating greater than 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the etiology of any currently diagnosed foot disorder and whether it is at least as likely as not related to active service or the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran will be scheduled for another VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings due to procedural issues and further development is needed.

The Board has granted initial noncompensable ratings for the Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with spina bifida occulta.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back disorder, including degenerative arthritis of the spine and sciatica, is related to his in-service experiences. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional records and for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as right knee strain, has been evaluated at a 20 percent rating based on limitation of flexion. The current evidence does not support a higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and DEA eligibility are denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability and found that it is related to his active duty service. The Veteran's TDIU claim remains pending as the RO has not yet assigned an extraschedular rating.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a total left knee replacement, which he claims is related to his service and/or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability. The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claim can be decided.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the appeal can be decided, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service connection claims.