Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right knee osteoarthritis and residuals of a right shoulder acromioclavicular joint separation prior to May 8, 2012 were denied as there was no evidence showing that the conditions warranted a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that the preponderance of evidence is against finding that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, to include arthritis, and thoracolumbar spine disorder are related to or resulted from his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to address his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings of his left knee disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and ensuring that VA examinations are adequate.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current lower back disability is etiologically related to his active service, and therefore service connection for the disability is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been reopened based on new evidence, but the Board has not yet assigned a specific rating for each condition due to ongoing appeals and remands.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent based on limitation of motion, and he has separate 10 percent ratings for his left and right hand degenerative changes.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder was not manifested by limitation of motion for the major arm to shoulder level prior to August 10, 2015. As of August 10, 2015, the disability has been manifested by limitation of motion for the major arm to shoulder level but not to midway between side and shoulder level.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to additional evidence received since the last decision.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of entitlement to an increased rating for erectile dysfunction due to withdrawal. The claims of service connection for a skin rash, left shoulder disability, degenerative osteoarthritis, and left eye disability have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link between any claimed conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and disc herniation, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for the period from June 16, 2004, to November 13, 2005. His disability rating for his lumbar spine condition is 40 percent on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, right shoulder disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative arthritis of the low back as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service, and they are not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by painful motion and slight instability, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent. A separate 10 percent rating is assigned for left knee instability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, liver disorder, and various knee disabilities have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to an initial compensable rating for his septoplasty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right and left knee replacements and limited range of motion in the left ankle, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. His acquired psychiatric disability is also service connected as secondary to his orthopedic conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus is not related to his military service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral knees was denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's lumbar strain has been found to be limited in range of motion, but not severe enough for a higher rating. The current evaluation of 20% is maintained.

The Veteran's current right knee disorder is not service-connected as it was not present in service or within one year after discharge, and there is no link between his in-service injuries and the current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected dextroconvex, degenerative arthritis, vertebral body compression deformity at L1 has not resulted in forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine limited to 30 degrees or less, nor has it caused favorable ankylosis. Therefore, a higher rating is not warranted.