Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left and right knee disabilities have been granted. The effective date is not specified as the decision was issued in January 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from substantially gainful employment, and therefore the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Veteran's left knee disability has been granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for instability and another 30 percent for degenerative arthritis.,Both conditions are rated based on their impact on the Veteran's range of motion, with no additional limitations due to pain or other factors.

The Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent, and his chronic vasomotor rhinitis (previously characterized as chronic sinusitis) is rated at 10 percent. The appeal issues are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's claim for higher initial evaluations for his knee disabilities and a left index finger disability is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to September 18, 2009 and for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of any psychiatric disability present, as well as evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the right hip and lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy and spondylolisthesis, as well as degenerative arthritis of both knees. The Veteran's left inguinal hernia is also service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for hypertension, and there is no evidence of an in-service event or injury related to this condition. The VA examiner found no direct relationship between the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied, as her disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation. The claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran is entitled to an extension of the temporary total rating beyond November 30, 2010 for right knee surgery or other treatment necessitating convalescence until December 31, 2010.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and IVDS of the lumbar spine.,Service connection was denied for residuals of a neck injury, as well as residuals of bilateral shoulder injuries.

The Veteran's right knee condition is rated at 10 percent disabling due to limitation of flexion. A separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee has also been granted. Service connection for a left knee condition as secondary to service-connected right knee arthritis has been established.

The Veteran's spouse was granted increased dependency and indemnity compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person from January 18, 2010 to October 18, 2010. After this period, she was not found to be in need of such benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip disability, including degenerative arthritis, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and the preponderance of evidence is against his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, secondary to his service-connected right patella chondromalacia, was reopened and granted. His current rating for chondromalacia of the right patella is increased to 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus was denied, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The claims for service connection for scars of the elbows and knees and recurrent neck pain were also denied.