Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a more current examination of his left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty, and service connection for this condition may not be presumed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, bone spurs of the left shoulder, and degenerative arthritis of the right hand were denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee is proximately due to or the result of service-connected reflex sympathetic dystrophy, right lower extremity, to include the thigh. The claims for increased evaluations and service connection for migraines are remanded as additional examinations and/or medical opinions are needed.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability more nearly approximates a 30 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5260, based on limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus with osteoarthritis of both feet and ankles is currently rated at 30 percent, the maximum schedular rating for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records, as well as further consideration of his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should undergo VA examinations to assess his upper back disability, lumbar spine disability, and radiculopathy. The case is also remanded for additional development related to vocational rehabilitation and updated treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not cause or contribute to his death, and thus denied DIC benefits. The appellant also sought DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 but was denied as well.

The Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis were rated at 10 percent prior to June 28, 2007. After that date, the knees were rated at 20 percent for flexion loss. The RO granted a separate rating of 30 percent for loss of flexion in both knees since March 10, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was incurred or aggravated in service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including osteoarthritis, is found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed respiratory condition, cervical spine arthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, and left hip arthritis are not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar strain and left knee disability were granted, with the thoracolumbar strain rated at 20 percent and the left knee disability rated as a combined of 20 percent. The appeals for higher ratings continue.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine was granted, and he is currently rated at 20 percent from May 30, 2006. The appeal does not involve any service connection issues.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee and ankle disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each. The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis were denied by the RO in April 2007. The Veteran has expressed disagreement with these decisions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left wrist disabilities and service connection for a right knee disability were granted. The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability was not addressed due to the Board's remand.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral degenerative arthritis of the knees and denied his claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for frostbite residuals were denied as the evidence did not show a relationship to his military service.