Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations, including episodes of locking and dislocation, limitation of extension, and instability. The Board has granted increased ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling prior to March 13, 2014 and 20 percent thereafter. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a total right knee replacement due to degenerative arthritis. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of his current condition.

The Veteran's lumbar spine osteoarthritis was rated at 10 percent from February 15, 2006 to March 11, 2012 and increased to 40 percent effective March 12, 2012.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the hands and fingers, as well as arthritis of the left elbow. The case is now remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disability has been granted, and the issue is now moot. The Board lacks jurisdiction over the issue of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a head injury as it pertains to an already resolved issue.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the back, finding that it did not manifest during or within one year after service and is not etiologically related to service. Service connection was also denied for hypertension.

The Board found that the current left knee disability, degenerative arthritis, was not incurred in service and is not related to a service-connected right knee disability. The claim for secondary service connection was also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's statements about the continuity of his back pain since service are credible, and that the condition was incurred in service. Therefore, it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran has a back condition that is attributable to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination for his low back disability and to address the issues of increased ratings for incomplete paralysis of left upper extremity and TDIU. The RO must also issue a statement of the case regarding the claim for an increased rating for the left upper extremity.

The Veteran's residuals of a left hand fracture have been rated as 10 percent disabling, reflecting the limitation of motion and pain in his left long finger.

The Veteran's right elbow disability has been rated at 10 percent since August 2008 and increased to 30 percent effective August 11, 2011. The rating is based on limitation of flexion and extension.

The Veteran's allergic rhinitis with pharyngitis is rated at 10 percent, while his degenerative arthritis of the right knee and left knee are currently not assigned a rating due to lack of evidence indicating service connection theory other than direct.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, chronic cervical strain disorder, and anthracosis of the lungs. The Veteran's claims for a right knee disorder and bilateral hip disorders are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected low back intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis and right sciatic neuropathy have not met the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a videoconference hearing due to her inability to attend the previously scheduled hearing. The case will be processed as though the request for a hearing had been withdrawn.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and service connection on the issues of osteoarthritis of the left knee, status post total knee replacement with scars, and a shortened leg with gait disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD is manifested by symptoms such as strained relationships, disturbances of mood and motivation, depressed mood, anxiety, nightmares, flashbacks, chronic sleep impairment, impairment of short and long term memory, difficulty concentrating, suicidal ideation, periods of violence, and increased cognitive decline. The Board has determined that the criteria for a disability rating of 50 percent for PTSD have been met or approximated.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling him for VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left leg disabilities are related to service, with osteoarthritis of both knees being a residual of an injury during active military service. The Veteran's left knee disability was caused or aggravated by his right knee disability.