Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis was granted a 10 percent rating effective May 21, 2010. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis and superior glenoid lesion of the right shoulder, as well as osteoarthritis and calcific tendonitis of the right elbow. These conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the disability rating for bilateral hearing loss from 50 percent to 40 percent was not proper, and the 50 percent rating is restored.

The Veteran's residuals of a fracture of the left distal fibula are rated at 10 percent since May 2, 2005. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate as there is no evidence of nonunion or malunion of the tibia or fibula and the disability does not meet criteria for higher ratings under DC 5262.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and other disabilities, but it remains unclear whether these claims will be granted as the evidence is not sufficient to establish a current disability or a link between any diagnosed condition and service. The Veteran also seeks service connection for hypertension and GERD, which may be related to his psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently evaluated at a 10 percent rating, which is the maximum schedular evaluation available under Diagnostic Code 5243 for degenerative arthritis of the spine. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in this rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to determine the current severity of his service-connected left knee disability, including whether it precludes him from securing and following substantially gainful employment. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection and found that there is sufficient evidence to establish a nexus between his current disabilities (peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands and feet, osteoarthritis of the right hand, and onychomycosis of the feet) and his active duty service. The claim is therefore granted.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left and right ankles were rated at 20 percent prior to October 23, 2008, with no effective date provided.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and sacroiliac disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for sacroiliac fusion and denied the remaining claims, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are not related to her active duty service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO/AMC for further development, including obtaining VA medical records from Decatur VAMC and ensuring that all relevant evidence is considered in adjudicating the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic low back disability.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left knee is currently rated at 10 percent, and her limitation of extension of the left knee is rated at 50 percent. Both ratings are effective June 10, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left hip degenerative arthritis was denied. The current disability is rated as 10 percent disabling under the criteria for limitation of motion, specifically Diagnostic Code 5252.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder tendonitis warrants a 30 percent rating, effective from September 1992.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is not related to active service, and the Board finds that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of aggravation during service. The claim for a right knee disability was remanded but has not been adjudicated yet.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia patella and right knee osteoarthritis with partial patellar tendon tear were evaluated at 10 percent each since April 1, 2009. The Veteran's left knee lateral subluxation was also granted a 10 percent evaluation from March 1, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee was withdrawn.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chondromalacia patella of the left knee was withdrawn.,An effective date of June 17, 2008, is granted for a separate award of service connection for laxity of the medial collateral ligament of the right knee.,A TDIU is granted.

The Board has found no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's current back disorders are related to his military service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's residuals of a fracture of the right tibia were not rated higher than 30 percent prior to September 4, 1996.,From November 1, 1997, the Veteran's residuals of a fracture of the right tibia, status post-total knee arthroplasty have not been rated higher than 30 percent.