Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities are secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service. The VA medical opinions indicate that obesity and diabetes mellitus, rather than any in-service injury or exposure, have contributed to the development of his osteoarthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's knee, hand, and back disabilities are not related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development, including the provision of an examination and consideration of whether his service-connected conditions alone rendered him unemployable prior to August 15, 2000.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and consideration due to unclear evidence regarding his employability solely based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent, and his thoracic/lumbar spine strain is rated at 20 percent. Both conditions are denied for higher ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current right knee disorder related to his service or service-connected left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for the period prior to July 21, 2012 was granted. The knee disability is characterized by ankylosis in flexion from 0 to 10 degrees.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative arthritis was incurred in service and is granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and knee conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 15, 2005 for the grant of service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was denied. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is March 15, 2005, when the Veteran filed a request to reopen his claim.

The Veteran's left hip degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum under Diagnostic Code 5251 for limitation of extension to 5 degrees. No other diagnostic codes apply as his range of motion does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and right shoulder were granted, with ratings assigned. The initial rating for the thoracolumbar spine is 20 percent effective July 31, 2012, and for the right shoulder is 30 percent effective November 20, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities require the use of knee braces, which tend to wear out or tear his clothing. The VA needs to obtain a medical certification regarding whether any prescribed medication for skin conditions due to these disabilities causes irreparable damage to his clothing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed mild degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, mild peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to ensure that he is accorded full compliance with the statutory duty to assist. The AOJ must obtain SSA records and additional VA treatment records, and then readjudicate his claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lower back, left shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of functional impairment.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, left great toe with degenerative arthritis and hallux rigidus, and right shoulder condition were all granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection for hypertension is March 26, 1992, but no earlier. Service connection was established for the left great toe with degenerative arthritis and hallux rigidus. The claim for the right shoulder condition was reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Veteran's current diagnoses include bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees and degenerative joint disease of the back. The Board granted service connection for these conditions based on direct evidence showing a chronic condition in service.,Service connection was denied for the Veteran's claimed back disability due to lack of evidence of chronic symptoms during or within one year after service separation.