Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder had its onset during active service and is related to his military duties, granting service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease at L5- S1.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records, as well as consideration of whether TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16 is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate examination for rating purposes and the need for additional development of his right hand disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right leg disability, heart disability, and degenerative arthritis of the right knee were denied. The claim for increased rating for superficial scar was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated treatment records and a VA examination of his left knee. The goal is to determine the severity of his service-connected left knee disability, including range of motion findings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private medical records, a new orthopedic examination, and corrective VCAA notice regarding the sinusitis claim.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for non-service connected disability pension benefits and service connection for hypertension and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. The evidence submitted since the previous denial was not considered new and material to reopen any of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of outstanding VA medical records.

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen her claim for service connection for the cause of death, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examination and consideration due to unclear severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability, as well as the issue of TDIU.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 60 percent, effective June 26, 1997. The claim for earlier effective date for service connection of right upper extremity radiculopathy is granted and the effective date is set at June 26, 1997. The Veteran is also awarded TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for right shoulder degenerative arthritis prior to May 13, 2008 was denied. The effective date of service connection for the disability was set at February 23, 1995.

The Veteran's left ankle and great toe disabilities have been rated at the minimum levels due to their current functional limitations. The Veteran is entitled to a higher rating for his left ankle disability as of July 21, 2007.

The Board finds that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was not incurred or aggravated by service, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, which is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to address the etiology of his claimed right ring finger disorder, left knee disorder, pulmonary embolism, and perforation of the right tympanic membrane. The issues on appeal include service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been evaluated based on their current symptoms, which do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected back disability has been rated at 40 percent since November 3, 2008. The Board granted a higher initial rating of 60 percent effective from October 29, 2001.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with previous Board remands regarding an opinion on whether the Veteran's service-connected polyarthritis renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ring finger disability warrants a minimum compensable rating of 10 percent, based on osteoarthritic changes with associated pain and swelling.