Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his knee conditions. The TDIU claim will also be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left elbow disability, an increased rating for right plantar callus, and low back disability. The low back disability was found not to be related to service due to lack of continuity of symptoms since separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 30, 2010 for the grant of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative osteoarthritis and disc disease was denied. The Board found that the initial denial in 1996 did not contain CUE.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized as degenerative arthritis and residuals of a partial meniscectomy, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that he does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260 or 5261 due to limitation of flexion or extension. However, he meets the criteria for a separate 10 percent rating based on slight instability of the left knee.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee and foot disabilities did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. As such, service connection for these conditions cannot be established.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee is granted. The issue of service connection for Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome (claimed as heart condition with irregular heartbeat) is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for a TDIU. Service connection for tinnitus was denied as there is no evidence of its onset during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is manifested by pain, slightly limited motion, and difficulty with stairs and squatting. However, there is no objective evidence of flexion limited to 30 degrees or less; extension limited to 10 degrees or more; recurrent subluxation or objective evidence of lateral instability; dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent locking, pain or effusion into the joint; or impairment of the tibia or fibula. Therefore, a disability rating greater than 10 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for additional examinations.

Service connection granted for osteoarthritis of the left wrist (non-dominant) and right wrist (dominant). Effective dates assigned.,Increased rating granted for PTSD.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was initially rated as noncompensable prior to May 17, 2011. From May 17, 2011 to March 1, 2013, a compensable rating (10%) was granted. After September 1, 2013, the Veteran's condition warranted a higher rating of at least 20%.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee. The case has been remanded due to additional evidence submitted by the Veteran's spouse.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU has been remanded due to insufficient consideration of his education, training, and work history in relation to his service-connected disabilities. The case is now pending further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not caused or aggravated by any disease, injury, or event in active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating due to new evidence and a need for updated VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to January 8, 2014 and is now granted. The issues of a higher rating are addressed in the remand section.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by arthritis and a tear of the lateral meniscus, was found to warrant a 10 percent rating from July 1, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal to establish that his substantive appeal was timely filed regarding the May 2007 rating decision was denied. The Board also found that his appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were not timely filed.

The Veteran's service-connected repaired torn cartilage of the right knee has been granted a 20% disability rating effective December 27, 2010. The condition is characterized by moderate recurrent lateral instability and removal of the medial meniscus.