Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right third toe degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims, including for his cervical spine disability and associated radiculopathy, as well as his claimed right leg disorder. The VA will provide these services on remand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a Travel Board hearing. The claims of service connection will be reconsidered after the hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left distal femur fracture with limitation of motion of the left knee were not found to warrant a higher rating for the period from June 25, 1999 to May 30, 2005. As of July 1, 2006, his disability was rated at 30 percent due to total knee arthroplasty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn, leaving only the cervical spine disability issue unresolved. The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is manifested by pain and localized tenderness but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen any of the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claim for permanent and total rating for basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits is being remanded due to the need for further development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions, all of which are being reconsidered due to new evidence. The Board has not yet determined the outcome for each condition.

The Board has restored service connection for the Veteran's status post total left knee replacement and degenerative arthritis of the right knee, finding that the original grant was not clearly and unmistakably erroneous.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn. The Board dismissed the claims for service connection and increased ratings.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is denied due to her failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, left knee medial compartment osteoarthritis with varus alignment, and left ankle conditions due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, and his radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 10 percent. The RO has granted these ratings effective January 6, 2004.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 10 percent, and his bilateral hearing loss and hypertension are each rated at 10 percent. The claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for his service-connected right knee condition, which includes a torn patellar tendon and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. The RO/AMC needs to schedule the Veteran for a hearing before a Decision Review Officer at the RO and then readjudicate his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and treatment records from Pensacola Naval Hospital. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for systemic multiple joint arthralgias, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder are also being reviewed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, except for the grant of service connection for tinnitus with a 10% evaluation effective January 13, 2006. The remaining conditions are not considered to be related to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection, finding that his pes planus warranted a 50% rating throughout the appeal period.