Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2010

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and neck, including as due to exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The Board finds that the Veteran's statements are credible and consistent with other medical evidence, supporting a finding that his back pain is caused by his altered gait mechanics resulting from his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and PTSD, as well as his TDIU and DEA claims, have been withdrawn by the appellant. The earlier effective date claims are also dismissed.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of November 5, 1997 for the award of TDIU based on VA outpatient treatment records indicating the Veteran was totally disabled due to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a deviated nasal septum is granted. Initial compensable evaluations are granted for DJD of the right hip, DJD of the left hip, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine. Service connection for tinea corporis is also granted.

The Board denied reopening the claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Veteran's low back disorder was initially granted service connection with a 10 percent rating. The appeal sought higher ratings for different periods of time, and the Board found that the criteria were not met for any staged ratings in excess of the initial 10 percent assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and the provision of proper notice regarding his claim to reopen service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis with internal derangement.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for instability of the right anterior cruciate ligament and osteoarthritis of the right knee with limited flexion are denied as there is no evidence of moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, or flexion limited to 15 degrees.

The November 1985 rating decision denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip and knee disorders as secondary to his already service-connected pes planus. The RO found that there was no evidence of arthritis in the hips or knees, despite supportive medical opinions.

The Board has vacated its previous decision and remanded the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and bilateral hip disabilities.

The Veteran's left hip disability was granted a 20 percent rating effective June 10, 2005. Prior to that date, the disability was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, including whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right knee conditions and special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status have been denied as the evidence does not support higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his period of service, and thus grants service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical records and a request for representation.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the hands and fingers was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examiner found that the current condition is less likely than not related to his service, including repetitive use of the hands.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed residuals of a fracture of the left hand were not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, PTSD, and residuals of shell fragment wounds to the back and right leg, as well as osteoarthritis of the right knee, preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his education and occupational experience. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a TDIU.