Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims of increased disability ratings for various service-connected disabilities, as well as the associated TDIU claim and several reopened claims, were denied due to her failure without good cause to report for necessary VA examinations.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain Social Security Administration records and for further development. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with IVDS, finding that it is related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, effective April 6, 2016.

The Board has granted service connection for a right tibia fracture, a right knee disability (osteoarthritis), and a lumbar spine disability. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee injury. The lumbar spine disability is considered unknown due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's back disability has been characterized by limited range of motion, guarding and pain upon examination. The Board grants a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new VA examination. The Veteran's service connection claim for a left foot disability is pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, but denied service connection for scars on the arms and a disorder manifested by arteries in the legs. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the peripheral neuropathy of his lower extremities associated with this condition are also rated. The claim for increased ratings remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of right leg mid-shaft tibia/fibula fracture was denied. The disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his knee conditions, including any potential need for right knee replacement surgery.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis has been manifested by objective evidence of arthritis, flexion limited to no less than 90 degrees. The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left leg disabilities were denied. The residuals of a fractured tibia and fibula with shortening of the left leg, peroneal nerve damage, and osteoarthritis of the left knee joint have not been productive of ankylosis or other disabling conditions warranting higher ratings.

The Board found that the residuals of a right knee injury, status post medial plica repair, more nearly approximated the criteria for a 20 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 5258 (dislocated semilunar cartilage) than the criteria for a 10 percent disability rating under Diagnostic Code 5259 (symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage).

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including pes planus and other conditions such as hallux valgus, sesamoiditis, hammer toes, sinus tarsi syndrome, calcaneal spurs, and osteoarthritis, is not related to service. The preexisting pes planus did not increase in severity during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee osteoarthritis is related to his service, as evidenced by continuous symptoms since separation from active duty. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee chondromalacia patella have been rated based on limitation of motion, with the highest rating of 10% for each knee.,For his residuals of a right foot injury prior to November 1, 2012, he was granted an initial compensable evaluation (10%). Since then, he has not met the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 19, 2009 and upgraded to 20 percent effective October 19, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability, to include a neoplasm of the lumbar spine, has been reopened and is granted.,Service connection is denied for hyperostosis (excessive growth of the bone).,Service connection is denied for osteoporosis (to include osteopenia).,Service connection is denied for right hip disability, to include a neoplasm and/or trochanteric bursitis.,Service connection is denied for limitation of motion of the right leg (also claimed as osteoarthritis of right knee).,Service connection is denied for viral syndrome, to include chronic fatigue syndrome.,Service connection is denied for polyarthralgia.