Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete service treatment records and other issues.

The Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability effective from February 1, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA orthopedic examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right hip and low back disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral hand disorder, claimed as arthritis and residuals of finger injuries, is granted. The criteria are met for service connection due to the presence of deformities of the distal interphalangeal joints (left little finger and right ring finger) and arthritis of the second and third metacarpophalangeal joints bilaterally and of the left fifth finger and right fourth finger, which were first reported within approximately three months after his separation from service.

The Veteran's right knee laxity and musculoligamentous strain with osteoarthritis have been granted initial ratings of 10 percent and 20 percent, respectively.,The Veteran's limited extension of the right knee has been granted a separate disability rating of 10 percent effective November 10, 2009.

The Veteran's hypertension was found to have been incurred during service, and he is now granted service connection for this condition. The initial increased ratings for his left knee and right knee disabilities are also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses related to a service-connected condition is granted, with the decision based on the urgency and necessity of seeking treatment in an emergency situation.

The Board has granted an additional 20 percent rating for the right ankle disability, apart from the existing 30 percent rating, based on the presence of degenerative arthritis and other relevant factors.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the left knee and lumbosacral spine, but denied an increased rating for the right knee. The Veteran's disability is rated under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional service treatment and personnel records, clarify his National Guard service status, provide notice regarding the requirements for reopening a secondary service connection claim, schedule VA examinations for his right knee, low back, and psychiatric disabilities, and determine whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left ankle fracture are currently rated as noncompensable. The VA examinations have consistently shown no additional limitation in range of motion due to pain, fatigue, weakness, lack of endurance or incoordination.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities has been established, allowing him to receive additional monthly compensation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for chondromalacia of the right patella was denied, and his service connection claim for osteoarthritis of the left knee was also denied. The decision is final as no SOC has been issued.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current bilateral knee disability was chronically worsened by his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear intent regarding a hearing request and other procedural issues. The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right hip remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a December 2010 examination report and providing an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the hips is found to be related to his active duty service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected knee disabilities have been denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.