Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities have not resulted in flexion limited to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees, which are the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, a left knee disability, and a right knee disability. The claim for service connection for a low back disability was also denied.

The Veteran's left and right knees are each rated at 10 percent for degenerative arthritis, but separate ratings of 10 percent for limited extension and 20 percent for instability and effusion have been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent effective June 19, 2012. The claim for a separate rating for left leg radiculopathy was granted.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his right ankle disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating prior to April 24, 2015 and on or after April 24, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected right ankle disability does not result in loss or permanent loss of use of her foot, as she can still walk and use a cane with the assistance of prosthetic equipment.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the initial evaluations of lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis with loss of cervical lordosis, as well as his chronic lumbosacral strain, were granted increased disability ratings. The rating for the intervertebral disc syndrome was set at 30 percent effective from June 5, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by the service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran's current right knee arthritis is attributed to gout and aging.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and shoulder conditions have been denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis, instability, or other factors warranting a higher rating. The current 30 percent ratings are considered appropriate based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus has been granted with a 10% evaluation, and he is also entitled to separate evaluations of 10% each for his inguinal hernia and the scar from his inguinal hernia surgery. The Veteran's service connection claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae (scarring) has been granted with a 30% evaluation based on disfigurement of the face and head.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist, knee, and ankle disabilities were incurred in service. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was caused by service. Tinnitus was also found to be incurred in service. Service connection for lumbar spondylosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and denied DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318, finding that the Veteran's death was not caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that it is attributable to injury during active military service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and sciatica and a neuromuscular disability of the lower extremities, other than radiculopathy and sciatica, remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities are not related to service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, did not originate in service and is not related to any incident of service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from the April 2015 VA examiner regarding bedrest prescribed for her service-connected HNP with lumbosacral strain.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to notification from the appellant.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right knee disabilities have not met the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent. The claims for TDIU are also denied.