Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2010

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including reconstructing missing service treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal includes a request for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and a challenge to the apportionment of his initial rating. The case is being remanded due to issues related to both these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied all claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection due to lack of evidence linking his current osteoarthritis to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim of service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral hands, including the fingers can be adjudicated.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left shoulder disability, which he believes is related to parachute jumps during service. The appeal is being remanded due to the need to obtain missing service treatment records and conduct an examination.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, osteoarthritis (claimed as arthritis of the left side of the body), left shoulder disability, and residuals of a left foot injury were all denied. The claim for PTSD was granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including rheumatoid/osteoarthritis and peripheral neuropathy. The claims are not yet resolved.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining additional evidence from SSA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle disability, tendonitis of the left ankle, osteoarthritis of the right hip, and low back disorder have been denied as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's application to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for osteoarthritis of multiple joints and his claim for a disability rating greater than 20 percent for lumbosacral strain. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and cervical arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active duty service. The evaluation claims were also found to be without merit.

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

The Board has determined that the appellant's right knee disability, including a tear of the medial meniscus and osteoarthritis, was incurred during active service. The claim is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the right and left knees are currently rated at 10 percent each, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Codes 5010-5260. The RO increased the evaluation for the right knee from noncompensable to 10 percent effective August 22, 2003, and for the left knee from noncompensable to 10 percent effective June 21, 2005.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee with limitation of flexion, left knee with limitation of flexion, and right knee with limitation of extension were denied.,An effective date prior to April 14, 2005 was granted for the grant of service connection for instability of the right knee.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The VA determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for a special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to her physical conditions, which do not render her so helpless as to require assistance.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations of his knee disabilities, as well as consideration of new VA outpatient treatment records.