Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for bilateral foot scars was denied, as the scars are superficial and not painful. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's left hip disability, diagnosed as mild osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right-sided sciatica of the lower extremity.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU was denied as there were no pending claims prior to October 1, 2012 and the criteria for a schedular TDIU had not been met.

The VA denied service connection for a right foot disorder, specifically degenerative arthritis of the right midfoot. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a causal relationship between the Appellant's current condition and his in-service injury.

The Board has found that there may be outstanding SSA records relevant to the Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, and thus remanded for further development including seeking these records.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, but concluded he was not unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board finds that there is no current disability for VA purposes due to bilateral hearing loss, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of her left fifth toe disorder and clarification from Dr. S.A. regarding his opinion on the relationship between her current condition and service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, disc disease, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are currently rated at 20 percent. The right middle finger disability is also rated at its maximum allowable rating for ankylosis or limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current plantar fasciitis of the left foot and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The issue regarding an increased rating for her lumbar spine disability remains pending.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher disability evaluation. The claim for service connection for sleep apnea was also addressed but is noted as part of the remand portion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee disabilities have been granted, with a rating of 20 percent each.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability warrants a higher initial rating of 20 percent, effective April 2, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain inpatient service treatment records, provide the Veteran with VA medical examinations and opinions, and obtain relevant outstanding post-service treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine as secondary to treatment for service-connected ulcerative colitis.

The Veteran contends that his current right shoulder disorder is due to a fall associated with his service-connected left knee disorder. The Board has decided the case should be remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling an examination.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claim for increased rating of lumbar spine disability was also denied.

The Veteran's degenerative disc disease, residuals of L4-L5 discectomy, is rated at 40 percent and his osteoarthritis of the right and left knees are each rated at 10 percent. The current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been rated at 30 percent since February 1, 2013. The rating is based on the current range of motion and symptoms associated with his total knee replacement.