Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent prior to May 26, 2009 and 40 percent beginning on that date.,Additionally, the Veteran is separately entitled to a 10 percent evaluation for his right-sided mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis, as well as right knee chondromalacia patella and right hip disability, were denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of the disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disabilities are not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine is being remanded due to incomplete records, deficient VCAA notice, and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right wrist disability did not originate during his period of active military service and is therefore denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for a scar as the residual of a hematoma of the thigh was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, disabilities of the legs and knees including osteoarthritis, and an acquired psychiatric disability including PTSD due to lack of credible evidence of onset or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claims for right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbosacral spine status post surgery are remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and compliance with VCAA requirements.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as multiple VA and private examiners have indicated that he is capable of performing sedentary work.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease has been rated at the highest available evaluation of 60 percent, which is more than the requested initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected right shoulder arthritis, left great toe and knee degenerative arthritis, and bilateral hearing loss were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of more than the current assigned disability ratings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral minimal osteoarthritis of the hip, finding that the most persuasive medical opinion is adverse to the claim.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 2, 2008. He is granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for instability of the left knee. The claims for service connection for left ankle and right hip disorders are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right knee have been reopened. However, new evidence does not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.,The Veteran's left knee condition is not shown to be related to his active duty service.

The Board determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disorder, including degenerative arthritis, was not incurred in active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran seeks service connection for knee, hip, and back disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to clarify the nature of these conditions and their relationship to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and right shoulder acromioclavicular degenerative arthritis with impingement syndrome, finding that his current hearing loss was not related to service.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 for convalescence following left knee surgery on February 10, 2006 is being remanded due to incomplete notice and potential service connection issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the nature and etiology of his service-connected conditions.