Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and adjudicating the TDIU claim. The issues of rating excess disability for left internal malleolus fracture and right knee osteoarthritis with scars are also pending.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine and lumbar spine disabilities are granted with an effective date of July 20, 2006.

The Veteran's low back disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating. The case is now remanded to determine if an even higher rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA Aid and Attendance/Housebound examination to determine if the Veteran's requirement for regular aid and attendance is related to his service-connected disability. The appeal will be further adjudicated after this examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left hip osteoarthritis is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left femur disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated after the left knee and right shoulder disability ratings are addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the right shoulder with a scar, claimed as a right arm condition, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of aggravation during service and there is no probative evidence indicating arthritis onset within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left knee, status post surgery for ACL repair with residual scars was denied by the RO. The Board has now remanded the case to obtain additional evidence and conduct a new VA examination.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for residuals of a left index finger laceration is granted, while his PTSD and lumbar spine disabilities remain at the current ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left and right shoulder disabilities are not service-connected as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, are all related to service.

The Veteran's back disability has been granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent initial disability rating, effective January 31, 2005. The Veteran is also in receipt of separate 10 percent ratings for sensory deficit of the external cutaneous nerve or left thigh and for sensory deficit of the right extremity associated with the service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities have been denied. The effective date for the awards has also been denied.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left foot second toe is found to have its onset in service and has been present continuously since separation. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's osteopenia is found to be secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.,There is no evidence of a current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine in service or within one year after separation, and it has not been shown to have been caused by service or caused or aggravated by his service connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and bilateral foot disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's right lower extremity disabilities combine to a rating equal to or greater than that assigned for amputation of the right lower extremity above the knee. A higher disability rating cannot be assigned as such would violate the amputation rule.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability has been rated at 30 percent since November 2011, reflecting severe instability and painful motion with limited flexion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's reports of numbness and pain during service are to be considered in any new opinion.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disorder. The Board finds that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder is related to his active military service, and therefore grants the claim.