Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2011

The Board denied reopening of the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of each knee, finding that new and material evidence was not received to reopen either claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and hypertension disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left knee disability, including a bruised left knee, osteoarthritis, and meniscectomy residuals, warrants a 20 percent rating.

The Board has granted the appellant's request to reopen his claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right shoulder and an acquired psychiatric disorder, finding new and material evidence. The claim for service connection for these conditions is now considered on its merits.

The Board denied the Veteran's request to reopen her claim for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine, finding that new and material evidence had not been received.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the current evaluations of his service-connected disabilities are adequate and did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities have been granted, with the right knee initially rated at 10 percent and the left knee also at 10 percent. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and consideration of all evidence, including recent treatment records and a VA examination report. The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his knee disabilities and service connection for prostate cancer will be reconsidered.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee disability and granted it. The left knee rating issue is remanded due to incomplete records.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as degenerative arthritis with history of chondropathy, has been rated at 10 percent since September 1, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's claimed disorder is due to herbicide exposure or any other event or incident of his period of active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is service-connected and assigned a 20% rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded to allow for further development of the record.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical nexus opinions regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine conditions and their relationship to service, as well as a new theory of entitlement related to his service-connected bilateral shin splints.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by post-traumatic osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease, has not warranted a rating higher than the current 10 percent evaluation during the appeal period.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent prior to June 25, 2007 and increased to 20 percent from that date. The rating is based on the severity of his symptoms and physical examination findings.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, characterized by ankylosis and pain, is currently rated at 50 percent. The appeal for a higher rating remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no current evidence of a bilateral ankle disability, and the Veteran did not have any other disabilities related to his period of active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a request for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals. The case will be returned to the RO for scheduling a video conference hearing.