Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to assess his current medical condition, including bilateral knee and diabetes mellitus. The case will then be readjudicated based on the new evidence.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and thus denied the reopening of the claim.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left foot injury, to include degenerative arthritis of the foot and first MP joint, was denied as his current condition is not related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran's dorsal left hand scar is rated at the schedular maximum of 10 percent, while his shrapnel injury to left thumb with osteoarthritis was not productive of functional impairment prior to August 24, 2009, but has since been productive of painful motion. Service connection for residuals of right eye injury remains denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and migraine headaches were denied. Service connection was granted for PTSD with staged ratings from April 23, 2004 to October 22, 2007, and for advanced osteoarthritis of the cervical spine with a rating of 20 percent effective October 10, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of hands and fingers, and arthritis of the left elbow due to cold injuries are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection, effective dates, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found no current deviated septum and denied service connection for it. The Veteran's right hand disorder is currently considered a possible disability, possibly related to service injury in 2000. Service connection for eczema was not granted as there was no service-connected condition found.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed cervical spine, shoulder, and knee disorders are not related to service. The evidence does not show a chronic disability of these conditions during service or within one year after separation from service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, and denied his requests for increased ratings for left knee disability, right knee disability, right hip strain, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and individual unemployability. The Veteran was not granted any of these claims.

The Veteran's nonunion fracture of the right index finger does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. His degenerative arthritis of the proximal interphalangeal joint is also not rated higher than the current noncompensable rating.

The appellant does not meet the basic eligibility requirements for VA benefits due to lack of qualifying service with the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left knee disabilities were denied. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's left knee degenerative osteoarthritis and anterior cruciate ligament tear did not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disability and an examination to determine the current nature, extent, and etiology of his prostate disability. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar disc disease and degenerative arthritis status post hemilaminectomy was denied. The Board also found that the criteria for an earlier effective date prior to October 28, 2008 for a 10 percent rating for migraines were not met.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was caused by his service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound to the thoracic spine, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right knee disability, including osteoarthritis. The claim is being remanded to verify the dates of active duty for training and inactive duty for training (ACDUTRA/INACDUTRA) and to obtain a VA examination to determine if any current right knee disability had its clinical onset during ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA, or is the result of an in-service disease or injury.