Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the Appellant's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected left knee disabilities, including a review of additional evidence submitted by the Appellant.

The Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, and there is no evidence that it manifested within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis with meniscal tear is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his current disability is related to his military service, including an in-service injury. The examiner must also address whether Osgood Schlatter's disease noted at entry into service was resolved or aggravated during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining outstanding medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if a retrospective medical opinion is necessary and for consideration of assignment of TDIU based on an extraschedular basis for the period prior to October 19, 2005.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability closely approximates unfavorable ankylosis of the entire cervical spine, warranting a 40% evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his disability level.

The Veteran seeks a TDIU rating based on his service-connected disabilities, but the VA examinations did not provide sufficient information to determine if he is unemployable due to these conditions. The case is being remanded for additional medical development.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine condition is currently rated at 10 percent disabling, and his right hand osteoarthritis does not warrant a compensable evaluation. The bilateral wrist disability has been granted service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of a back injury and granted service connection, finding that the Veteran's current low back disability is related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining records of the Physical Evaluation Board proceedings and surgical treatment records, as well as any available VA and private medical records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his disability.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic bilateral knee disorder during service or within one year post-service, and the most competent medical evidence does not support a connection between current bilateral knee disorders and military service.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found that new evidence was submitted to reopen some claims, but the preponderance of the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disability, diagnosed as cervical degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, was incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected dysthymia and depression. The other issues remain pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorders, including degenerative arthritis and scoliosis, are not related to his period of service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 10 percent for his service-connected right knee injury with osteochondritis prior to April 21, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to determine the current level of severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and etiology of his psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and his degenerative arthritis of the feet. The claims will be reconsidered after this development.