Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected left and right knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that either condition warranted a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a nerve injury and PTSD, as well as his claim of entitlement to an earlier effective date for depression. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and opinions to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to her loss of use of one lower extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee, left knee, low back scar, and plantar fasciitis of both feet. The claim for increased rating for tinea pedis is also granted.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and disc herniation was granted a disability rating of 40 percent as of November 3, 2006.

The Veteran's right knee partial medial meniscectomy with osteoarthritis and limitation of extension are currently rated at 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively. The Board finds that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a more contemporaneous medical examination of his right shoulder disability, as the last VA examination was conducted over two years ago. The Veteran contends that his service-connected right shoulder disability is more disabling than the current noncompensable evaluation reflects.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examination reports and SSA records.

The Board has found that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is causally related to his active service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted a 20% rating for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and a 30% rating for right knee laxity, finding that these conditions are secondary to service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, along with other disabilities, has rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since September 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records from Memphis, TN in the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. The claim will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity disabilities. The claims of increased ratings for left ankle injury, residuals of medial and lateral meniscectomies of the left knee, and osteoarthritis of the left hip are remanded due to incomplete development.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 20 percent, effective May 1, 2010. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate as of August 28, 2008.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not service-connected, as it is more likely due to a post-service injury in 1997.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an updated VA examination for the Veteran's fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, as well as to clarify the etiology of these conditions. The case will be returned to the RO for further adjudication.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, prior to May 6, 2008, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 10 percent under any applicable rating code.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for degenerative changes in the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding them at least as likely as not due to an in-service ship collision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's service connection claims for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, bipolar manic depression, and PTSD. The RO's previous decisions denying these claims are final.