Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the back and neck, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and carpal tunnel syndrome are all related to his active military service. The evidence shows he was exposed to noise in service which led to his current hearing loss and tinnitus. His orthopedic conditions are also linked to his years of service due to repetitive motion injuries.

The Board has determined that a 20 percent evaluation is warranted for the torn medial meniscus of the right knee under Diagnostic Code 5258, based on symptoms including dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination of his right knee and the addition of SSA records to the electronic file.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to reassess the severity of his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the knees and ankles were denied by the Board.

The Veteran's right thumb disability, characterized by post-traumatic degenerative arthritis with consequent pain and tenderness to palpation, weakened movement, incoordination, atrophy from disuse, difficulty with fine motor activities requiring a key-pinch maneuver, and no gap between this thumb and adjacent fingers, warrants an initial 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted service connection for osteochondritis dissecans of the left ankle, but is remanding to determine whether service connection should also be granted for osteoarthritis.

For the period from November 22, 2006 to September 29, 2009, the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's current low back disorder is not etiologically related to active service.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis with painful motion is rated at 10% from May 1, 2007. The initial rating for his right foot plantar fasciitis remains non-compensable.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher rating is warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral knee disability with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot osteoarthritis, heel spur, and right first toe bunionectomy with residual scar has been evaluated at a 10 percent rating since February 1, 2010. The Board found that the disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of this amount.

The Board found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorders, including scoliosis and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, did not have their onset in service or within one year of separation therefrom, nor are they etiologically related to his active service. The claim for service connection was therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for left knee, heart disorder, right ear disability (otitis media and otitis externa), right hand disability, and right knee disability have been denied. The Board has found no current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected left knee osteoarthritis, status post medial meniscus tear does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current left hip, pes planus, urinary or prostate disorder, hypertension, and stress disabilities and his military service. The symptoms were not shown until years after service.

The Veteran's service-connected tricompartmental osteoarthritis, status post total right knee arthroplasty, was found to be manifested by pain and stiffness prior to June 13, 2012. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent prior to that date was denied.