Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's lower back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and his right L5/S1 lumbar radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not otherwise attributable to service. As a result, the claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and opinions regarding his right knee condition and hypertension.

The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's pre-existing lumbar spine disability was not aggravated by service beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his major depression and other psychiatric disorders, have caused him to be unable to obtain and sustain a substantially gainful occupation as of September 11, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an examination and opinion regarding whether any low back conditions are related to a reported in-service fall from a ladder. The Veteran's history of gymnastics participation is also to be considered.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hip osteoarthritis was not related to service or his service-connected lumbosacral strain, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability causes marked interference with employment and warrants an extraschedular rating of 10 percent from April 1, 2008.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative changes have been rated at 10 percent since October 1, 2009. The VA examiner found full range of motion and no additional limitation due to pain or fatigue.,For the thoracic scoliosis and DDD, the Veteran has a combined ROM of 240 degrees, which is below the threshold for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5242 (degenerative arthritis of the spine). The examiner did not find any additional limitation due to pain or fatigue.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left and right knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's right shoulder and right knee disabilities have been rated as noncompensable prior to September 26, 2013. The appeal for higher ratings is granted.,Effective September 26, 2013, the Veteran's right shoulder and right knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's left knee disability was found to not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent or a separate compensable evaluation for left knee effusion and degenerative joint disease.

The Veteran's initial rating claims for his service-connected bilateral shoulder, wrist, hand, and elbow disabilities have been denied. The Veteran was granted compensable ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left hands, as well as initial ratings of 10 percent each for his elbows and wrists.

The Veteran's service-connected pes cavus of the right and left feet have not been shown to warrant a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.,Separate ratings for osteoarthritis of each foot, secondary to the service-connected bilateral pes cavus, are also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis with total knee arthroplasty and left knee osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent effective June 23, 2015.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for osteoarthritis of the left foot. The Veteran's current symptoms are related to his military service, as evidenced by a June 2013 VA opinion. As such, the claim is granted.

The Veteran's left knee disability is productive of pain, flexion to 105 degrees, extension to 0 degrees, slight instability, and locking. The criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the left knee based on pain and limitation of motion have not been met on a schedular basis. The criteria for an evaluation of 10 percent for left knee instability have been met on a schedular basis. The criteria for an evaluation of 20 percent for left knee disability productive of locking have been met on a schedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various disabilities, including upper cervical strain, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, bilateral hearing loss, and several psychiatric, musculoskeletal, and respiratory conditions. The Board has ordered a remand to address these issues due to the need for additional development.