Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, including disc disease and osteoarthritis, is being remanded due to the need for an examination and additional development of records.

The Veteran's left knee injury residuals with chondromalacia patella are currently rated at 30% disabling, and his left knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10%. The VA has determined that these ratings adequately reflect the severity of the veteran's conditions.

The VA has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and assigned an initial disability rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis, warrants a separate 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5003 for the service-connected degenerative joint disease. The current 20 percent rating for instability remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current age-related degenerative arthritis of the left knee and bilateral hips were not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain updated findings related to his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, including VA treatment records and a contemporaneous VA examination. The RO must consider whether separate compensable ratings are warranted under Diagnostic Codes 5242 (for back disability) and 8520 (for right and left-sided radiculopathy or neuropathy).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the denial of service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and a TDIU claim. The case will be returned to the Board after completion of additional development.

The Board denied the application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for right wrist osteoarthritis, finding that new and material evidence had not been received since the last denial. The Veteran's previous claim was denied because there was no evidence of a right wrist disability in service or for many years thereafter, and because he did not indicate at the time of his fall that it was due to his service-connected right knee.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of his claim for an increased rating for low back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, warranted a 10 percent rating based on limitation of motion. The preponderance of evidence did not support higher ratings for pain or instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed osteoarthritis of bilateral hands, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are related to his military service, specifically his cannoneer duties in Korea where he was exposed to cold temperatures and acoustic trauma. As such, these conditions have been granted as being incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis in each knee is currently rated as 10 percent disabling prior to July 18, 2008, and as 50 percent thereafter. The Board finds that the evidence does not support granting increased ratings for his service-connected patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the bilateral elbows is likely incurred in service and is causally related to service.

The Board found that the appellant is not blind or nearly so, and does not require regular aid and attendance due to her disabilities. She is able to perform most of her daily activities independently.

The VA determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the hands, as it was not incurred or aggravated during his active duty and there is insufficient medical evidence linking any current condition to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD, degenerative arthritis of the right thumb, and arthritis of the lumbar spine are all related to service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of her right knee disability. Her TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's appeal involves three separate issues: a claim for an increased rating for cervical spine disability, a claim for scars from surgery, and a request to reopen his right ankle sprain claim. The Board has referred these claims back to the RO for further development.