Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is denied as there was no claim for service connection for PTSD prior to October 6, 2008.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for his service-connected degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine, prior to September 7, 2010, and since that date have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine disability did not warrant a higher rating and his varicose veins, right leg medial aspect, early, also did not meet criteria for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder pain, left arm pain, headaches, and neck pain have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service. The available service treatment records are unavailable.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis, bilateral knees and found that new evidence supports this reopening. The psychiatric disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected psychophysiological nervous system reaction.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hip disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. The evidence did not support a finding of a causal relationship between his service-connected sarcoidosis and his current hip disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, and his lumbosacral osteoarthritis rating remains unchanged.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is only 50 percent, which does not meet the minimum threshold requirements for an award of TDIU benefits under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). The case is REMANDED to consider whether his service-connected disabilities would as likely as not preclude gainful employment.

The Veteran's current right knee disability is found to be related to his service-connected right ankle fracture, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's herniated disc L-5, S-1 level, hemilaminectomy has been rated at 20 percent for the past year. The condition is manifested by flexion limited to 90 degrees and no ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the current level of severity of his bilateral knee osteoarthritis and whether he suffers from ankylosis. The claim for TDIU will also be considered under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his bilateral knee disabilities were denied. The right knee instability claim was granted with a separate 10 percent evaluation beginning May 12, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected anxiety disorder does not render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently bedridden due to his nonservice-connected medical conditions. Therefore, he is not entitled to special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board found no evidence of a back disorder in service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's migraine headaches did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, and his service-connected disabilities did not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized by degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis, is currently rated at 20 percent. The evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of all major joints is related to his active service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate examination for rating purposes. The case will be reviewed by the RO and readjudicated.

The Board found that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the right hip is not related to his service-connected right ankle disability and denied the claim for service connection.