Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2009

The appeal is remanded to provide the Veteran with adequate notice regarding what specific evidence would be required to reopen his claim for service connection for bilateral flat feet with degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for Hepatitis C, hypertension, osteoarthritis of the lower extremities, a lung disorder to include asbestosis, and a vision disorder.

The appeal was remanded to the RO for further development and review of the case, including allowing the Veteran's authorized representative to address the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and conduct a new examination.

The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for his left ankle injury, effective March 20, 2007.

The appeal was denied as the Veteran did not provide new and material evidence to reopen his claim for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, and there is no evidence that the Veteran's right knee or lumbosacral spine arthritis are related to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee conditions were denied as the schedular criteria for higher ratings have not been met.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the low back as it was not shown to be causally or etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder, status post Putti-Platt procedure with degenerative arthritis was rated at 20 percent. The claim for a vision condition secondary to the service-connected left shoulder was denied.

The Veteran was granted an initial 10 percent rating for chronic left knee strain, and separate 10 percent ratings were assigned for cervical and lumbar spine osteoarthritis. The claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and the remaining spinal conditions were denied.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's left knee disorder is manifested by a range of motion from 0-100 degrees, at worst, with painful motion and mild instability. The evidence throughout the appellate period has revealed evidence of degenerative arthritis of the left knee.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death.

The Veteran was granted a 20 percent initial disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle and carpel tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's low back disability and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were rated at their current levels, while service connection for arthritis of the right hip was denied.

The Board denied service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee impingement syndrome and degenerative joint disease, bilateral shoulder degenerative joint disease, and bilateral hand degenerative joint disease as these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's left knee disability both before and after November 2, 2007.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for osteoarthritis of the left knee and lateral instability of the left knee, finding that the current ratings accurately reflect the severity of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and he does not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine fracture residuals with degenerative arthritis, finding that the disability was manifested by pain and slight limitation of motion, which did not warrant a higher 20 percent rating.