Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claimed conditions (degenerative arthritis of the ankles and knees) were not shown in service or within one year after service. The medical evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to events during service. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine with degenerative arthritis and left knee degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to her active service and thus denied her claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for most conditions, and there was no indication of any exposure to known causative agents.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the appellant's claims, including preparation of a Statement of the Case for the issue of entitlement to an increased disability rating for atopic dermatitis, keratosis pilaris. The AMC should contact the appellant to determine which issues she wishes to appeal and schedule VA examinations based on her clarification.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his left knee disability, right knee disability, and hypertension have been denied. The RO found that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's left knee disability evaluation from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper, and denied his request for restoration of a 20 percent evaluation for arthritis of the right knee.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist fracture with post-traumatic osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent, and his claim for secondary service connection for right wrist arthritis has been granted. The effective date of the rating decision is not specified.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's service for his left elbow and bilateral hand, wrist, shoulder, and ankle conditions. The right elbow strain was granted as service connected.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluation of lumbosacral spine disability, service connection for a right knee disability secondary to his lumbosacral spine disability, and TDIU due to his lumbosacral spine disability. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of both knees is not related to service or his service-connected left ankle and foot disorder, and thus denied the claim.

The veteran is seeking service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee, which he claims is secondary to his already service-connected right knee disability. The case has been remanded due to procedural issues and a need for a new hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, PTSD, and a back/neck disability. The decision found that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and that any current disabilities were not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cluster headaches and residuals of fracture C-3 with degenerative arthritis, do not meet the requisite schedular percentages for TDIU. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability, diagnosed as bilateral total knee replacements due to osteoarthritis, was found to be both caused or aggravated by his service-connected foot disability and related directly to incidents that occurred during active service. The appellant is now entitled to accrued benefits based on the pending claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development and readjudication.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the appellant's right hip disability, including osteoarthritis, is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability. Therefore, the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right hip disability is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities, including osteoarthritis of the left knee, right hip, and right ankle. The RO will also attempt to obtain any relevant private or VA treatment records.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU rating due to service-connected disabilities, but the RO has determined that further development is needed before deciding his claim.