Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, numbness in the left hand (claimed as radiculopathy), and thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis with left lower extremity radiculopathy. The right shoulder disability was granted but not increased beyond a 10% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine has not met the criteria for a higher rating since January 23, 2007.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the appellant's claims for left knee and left hip disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination of his lumbar spine osteoarthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left knee injury with osteoarthritis, right knee cystic bursitis with osteoarthritis, and compression fracture at T7-8. The Veteran was not granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including postoperative residuals of a total knee arthroplasty, is currently rated at 30 percent. The medical evidence shows that the right knee disability is manifested by limitation of flexion to 125 degrees; there is no limitation of extension or instability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was granted, with a current rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, but denied it on the merits. The evidence does not establish that his current left knee disorder is related to his service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection for post-operative residuals of a total left hip replacement with degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthritis and post-operative residuals of a right ankle fracture were denied. The rating for surgical scar post-operative residuals of a right ankle fracture was granted to 10 percent.

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

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for his left knee disability was granted, with the highest possible rating of 10 percent assigned. Separate ratings were also granted for moderate instability and degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis, right knee was granted but assigned a noncompensable evaluation. The claim is now remanded for additional development including another VA examination to assess the current severity of the disability.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is related to his service-connected status-post crush injury of the left anterior ribs, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the bilateral hip is not related to his service-connected herniated nucleus pulposus, L4-L5, status post operative with arthritis and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative disk disease and osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine, is related to his active service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder and varicose veins of the right leg were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions were more likely related to the Veteran's age, work-related injuries, and physically demanding job with USPS.

The Board has dismissed the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for a liver condition. The remaining claims are remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records, verifying Agent Orange exposure, and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board found that the Veteran's joint problems, including osteoarthritis of the right shoulder, bilateral knees, and bilateral hips, were not causally or etiologically related to his military service. The Board also could not establish a connection between these conditions and his service-connected meningitis.