Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The penis laceration scar was rated at 10%, the anal fissure as a residual of a puncture wound to the left buttock was not compensable, tinnitus was granted, COPD with history of pneumonia was granted, and low back disorder was not granted.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected, and his left upper extremity neuropathy was not found. The Board denied increased ratings for left knee instability and arthritis, as well as a TDIU claim.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee, hands, neck, and back. The claim for hypertension remains pending as new evidence was submitted but does not establish a direct link to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is caused by his service-connected left knee disability. The Board finds that the Veteran's left leg venous disorders are related to his service-connected left knee ACL tear.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining line of duty determinations and arranging for a VA examination to address the Veteran's left wrist and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has not more nearly approximated forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; or, the combined range of motion of the thoracolumbar spine not greater than 120 degrees; or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour such as scoliosis, reversed lordosis, or abnormal kyphosis. As a result, the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

As of May 6, 2013, the Veteran's right ankle osteoarthritis has been manifested by marked limitation of motion and warrants a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran is in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person due to her conditions, including chronic obstructive airway disease, COPD, morbid obesity, osteoarthritis, hypertension, dyslipidemia, macular degenerative, and glaucoma. She requires assistance with activities such as transferring, walking, climbing stairs, shopping, cooking, housework, laundry, and taking her medications.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and joint laxity, is currently rated at 10 percent. The claim for increased ratings remains denied as the evidence does not show that his conditions warrant a higher rating.

The Board finds the evidence is evenly balanced regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease are proximately due to his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability. The Veteran meets the current disability requirement, and his assertions support a finding that his neck disabilities developed as a result of compensating for back pain.

The Board found no evidence of a current right knee disability related to service, and the Veteran's cystic fibrosis is considered a congenital condition. The Board denied service connection for residuals of heat exposure as there was no currently diagnosed residual disability.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for osteoarthritis of the right and left knees have been dismissed as he has requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and neuritis of the left lower extremity were not found to warrant higher initial ratings based on current symptomatology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen his service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and secondary service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral region. The heart disability and bilateral hearing loss disability claims were dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has granted increased initial evaluations for various spinal and joint disabilities, but denied service connection for hypertension and sinusitis.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his left shoulder disabilities was granted, with a 20 percent rating maintained for both conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, schedule examinations for his service-connected conditions, and determine the relationship between his current disabilities and service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a bilateral foot disorder, including pes planus. The Board has determined that additional medical examination and development are needed to address the nature and etiology of any diagnosed bilateral foot disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and right wrist disability, have rendered him unable to maintain any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability, including his meniscus tear and osteoarthritis, was not incurred in or caused by an in-service event or injury. The VA examiner found no link between the current diagnoses and the Veteran's service.