Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the current evidence is inadequate to determine whether the appellant is permanently and totally disabled, necessitating further examination. The case is therefore being remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by his service-connected disabilities, specifically his use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to treat these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and could not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated in service. The Board also determined that there was no relationship between the service-connected right knee disability and the claimed left knee disability, based on either causation or aggravation.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is found to be secondary to his service-connected right patella injury with traumatic arthritis. His post operative residuals, injury of the right patella with traumatic arthritis, are currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disorder is not service-connected as it did not arise during active duty and is not linked to his service-connected lumbosacral spine disability.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his lumbosacral spine disability was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating. The right knee osteoarthritis is considered secondary to the service-connected left knee disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hip, left hip, and cervical spine disorders are not related to his active service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a hearing in Albany, New York.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis and hemorrhoids, finding no evidence of a relationship to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for generalized osteoarthritis affecting multiple joints and a psychiatric disorder, to include depression as secondary to a service-connected back disability was denied. The claim for allergic reactions due to medications prescribed by the VAMC was also denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 10 percent prior to October 27, 2005 and increased to 20 percent thereafter. The current rating of 30 percent is effective since October 7, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records. The Veteran's right shoulder disability is being evaluated in relation to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hip was denied on multiple occasions. The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for her thoracolumbar spine, left ankle injury, rhinitis with sinusitis, and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities. The evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion or ankylosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities do not meet the threshold rating requirements for an award of Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected lumbar strain with mild degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection have been granted, but the effective dates remain October 5, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected hip, knee and spine disabilities are causing significant occupational impairment. The RO is instructed to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his ability to work due to these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis in his left knee and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. The case is REMANDED for further action.