Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been granted based on direct service connection. No new evidence or changes in the rating system were noted.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability and assigned an initial rating of 20 percent for Type II diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's current right knee osteoarthritis is related to his in-service knee problems, while the diabetes mellitus remains at its currently assigned 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his service-connected nephrolithiasis, eczema, lumbago, patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee, and osteoarthritis of the left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to address the extent of impairment and remaining function in his left arm, hand, leg, and foot. The claim will be reconsidered based on the additional evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the right knee and post-operative residuals of a right meniscectomy do not warrant an increased rating as there is no evidence of compensable limitation of motion.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder, anxiety, and severe depression, are not service connected due to the lack of evidence linking these conditions to his active duty. The in-service drug use is considered willful misconduct.,Left hip osteoarthritis was not present during service or within one year post-service and is unrelated to service-connected disability. Atherosclerotic vascular calcification was also not present during service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional medical examination and development of Social Security Administration records. The TDIU claim is considered part of the increased rating claim.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's left knee disability, and outstanding VA treatment records are requested.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss is found to be due to noise exposure during service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition. The initial rating for his degenerative arthritis, bilateral knees, status post meniscus repair with scars remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities do not result in loss of use of both lower extremities, and he does not have other service-connected conditions that would qualify him for specially adapted housing. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence is against his claim.

The Veteran's right hand scar, status post cyst removal, is currently rated at 10 percent and does not warrant a higher evaluation.,Prior to December 31, 2012, the Veteran's lumbar osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease was rated at 10 percent. Effective from December 31, 2012, it is rated at 20 percent.,Effective from December 31, 2012, the Veteran's lumbar osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease with IVDS warrants a 20 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including providing VCAA notice and obtaining a VA opinion regarding the relationship between his neurological disability and service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is rated at 60 percent, effective from the date of this decision.,Both his right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy are currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back and neck disorders are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine prior to March 23, 2009 and a rating in excess of 40 percent from that date onwards.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by severe degenerative arthritis and a history of meniscectomy, is currently rated at 10 percent for each condition. The Board has determined that the evidence supports an increased rating to 20 percent for both conditions combined.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have any currently diagnosed disorder of the left hand, to include lymphangitis, trigger finger, and osteoarthritis, which manifested while he was on active duty or within a year of his military discharge, or is otherwise related to any aspect of his qualifying active service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for a left knee disorder and has determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Board has also found that the Veteran's symptoms of DJD, osteoarthritis, and chondromalacia are continuous since service separation.

The Board has granted service connection for the appellant's knee and shoulder disorders, but determined that no effective date earlier than September 13, 2007 can be assigned as the claims were not filed within one year of separation from active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right leg, low back, and bilateral hip disabilities are not related to his military service or a service-connected condition. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.