Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of Morton's neuroma with osteoarthritis of the right foot has been denied as there is no evidence of paralysis or other disabling conditions that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's combined rating is 60 percent, which does not meet the percentage standards for a TDIU rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The Board finds that an extraschedular total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis and residuals of carbon dioxide poisoning are denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right knee disorder, including Baker's Cyst and osteoarthritis. The case is being remanded to obtain a VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee, finding that there was no evidence linking the current condition to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine disabilities are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left knee disability, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent each, but the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Veteran's right and left hip advanced degenerative arthritis were not found to be related to service or service-connected conditions, leading to a denial of the claims.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various back and leg disabilities, including degenerative arthritis with spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's initial claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with a bulging disc at L4-5 and scoliosis were denied. The Board found that from June 26, 2003 to September 2, 2009, he did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, and on or after September 2, 2009, he did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing service treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and mechanical back syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his active military service and have denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the claim for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 was denied due to lack of legal merit or entitlement under the law.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that it is related to in-service noise exposure. The other issues of entitlement to service connection have not been adjudicated and are referred back to the RO.

The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities and seeks to establish service connection for other conditions.,The Veteran is also seeking a compensable rating for recurrent otitis externa-media.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis with a history of allergic rhinitis.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for bronchial asthma, pseudofolliculitis barbae, lupus erythematous of the face, and Lyme disease.,The Veteran is also seeking service connection for depression.,The Veteran seeks service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, lupus erythematous of the face, and Lyme disease.,The Veteran seeks service connection for depression.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right hand and wrist disorder. The remaining issues have not yet been decided.