Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's initial ratings for his right knee disability have been granted and maintained. He is currently rated at 20 percent for instability of the right knee since April 24, 2014.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle disability, including degenerative arthritis and Achilles tendonitis, did not have its onset in service or is otherwise related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and a supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current low back disability, including degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, is related to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for his right knee disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 27, 2014 and since then.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective January 11, 2009. The claim for increased ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy remains denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in equipoise with regards to whether the Veteran's current right knee osteoarthritis is related to an incident during his active duty service in September 1976. Service connection for a right knee disability, including subluxation, has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claim regarding the issue of entitlement to service connection for a right lower extremity disorder, to include 'sciatic-like' pain, secondary to degenerative arthritis, post dislocation of the right ankle with torn ligament.

The Board found that the appellant's current low back conditions are not directly related to his service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not service-connected, and his claim for a higher evaluation of his left ring finger disability remains denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability has not been manifested by flexion limited to 30 degrees, moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, or extension limited to 15 degrees. As such, the criteria for higher ratings under Diagnostic Codes 4.71a, 5260, and 5261 have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine disability, and for obtaining any relevant treatment records. The claim will be reconsidered based on the updated evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right first metatarsal joint with degenerative arthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, right hip and left hip osteoarthritis as secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is being remanded for further examination and opinion to determine if it is proximately due or the result of his service-connected left knee disability, considering overcompensation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disorder is not service-connected due to lack of evidence linking it to his military service. The appeal for a higher initial rating for his left thumb disorder and TDIU is also denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability was rated as 10 percent prior to January 30, 2013, and denied for a higher rating. Since January 30, 2013, the disability has not met the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional records and a completed VA Form 21-8940 application.