Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2010

The Board denied service connection for a neck disorder, nerve damage of the right arm, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus as there is no competent medical evidence showing these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability was rated at 60 percent, and the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted. The appellant also had other service-connected disabilities which rendered her husband unable to engage in substantially gainful employment, leading to a finding of entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral ankle, knee, and low back disabilities are related to his in-service right tibia fracture. As such, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings due to their severity.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed back and hip disorders.

The Veteran is granted a separate initial 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy since January 9, 2006. The claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine remains denied. Service connection for PTSD and memory loss are also denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine and lumbar spine conditions are not service connected as they were not shown during active duty or within one year of discharge. The upper respiratory infection claim is denied due to lack of evidence showing a current disability.

The Board granted service connection for fibromyalgia and found that the Veteran's right hip disorder is not related to his active service. The low back disability was rated at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining hospitalization records from Camp Lejeune and reviewing the claims file with a VA orthopedist to determine if any ankle disorder is related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability and a right forearm and hand condition, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were due to his own willful misconduct. Service connection was granted for PTSD with an initial rating of 50 percent effective January 29, 2001.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as spinal stenosis and chronic low back pain, is attributable to service. Additionally, the left hip arthritis is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depression and eating disorder meets the percentage requirements for a schedular award of a TDIU prior to June 8, 2006. However, since June 8, 2006, this disability has presented her from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance is denied because he does not have a service-connected disability that requires the use of a prosthetic or orthopedic appliance, nor one requiring medication for irreparable damage to his outer garments.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of moderate instability or additional functional impairment during flare-ups, and thus an increase in rating under Diagnostic Code 5257 is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee conditions and service connection for hip disabilities were denied. The reduction in rating for chronic lumbar strain was also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues, and no specific rating or effective date has been assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder as secondary to his service-connected left knee lateral instability with degenerative changes, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking the current right knee osteoarthritis to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is not related to his military service and denied his claim.