Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2011

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of the issues, including adjudicating the claim of entitlement to a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service connected disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and addressing the DeLuca factors. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing assistance is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and review of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted a compensable rating for right ovarian cyst and uterine fibroid.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, osteoarthritis of the shoulders, elbows, wrists and knees, and cervical spine disability. The Veteran did not have any evidence of these conditions in service or within one year after discharge.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorders, including advanced or severe degenerative arthritis of the left knee and a right total knee replacement, were not incurred in service. The VA examiner opined that these conditions are not related to his period of active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disability and an increased rating for his left foot disability, finding that there is no evidence of a causal relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's post-traumatic degenerative arthritis of the left elbow, old trauma of the left distal clavicle with AC separation and degenerative change of the AC joint, and mild to moderate degenerative arthritis of the left glenohumeral joint are all attributable to service.

The Veteran's low back strain was rated at 20% since December 5, 2007. Prior to that date, the claim for a higher rating was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing foot conditions, including claw foot and edema, were aggravated by service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining service records and addressing her claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a video conference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable rating for service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine was granted prior to December 18, 2007. From December 18, 2007 onward, a separate 10 percent rating was assigned.,For the period from October 22, 2009 onward, an initial rating of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of both feet and both knees was granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine are related to service, including his numerous parachute jumps during active duty. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a videoconference hearing before the Board due to his request and current circumstances.

The Board found that the Veteran's right plantar calcaneal spur with plantar fasciitis is related to his active service, granting service connection for this condition. The Board also determined that there was no evidence linking the left ankle osteoarthritis and right Achilles tendonitis to his in-service parachute jumps.

The Board has remanded the claim for service connection of upper extremity peripheral neuropathy. The remaining claims, including hyperlipidemia, monoclonal gammopathy, low back disorder, and hypertension, are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to a lack of recent VA examination, incomplete medical records, and the need to determine if the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance or is housebound.

The Board has granted service connection for avascular necrosis/trochanteric bursitis of the right hip, degenerative osteoarthritis of the right knee, and discogenic changes of the lumbar spine as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability, including degenerative changes, is not shown to be due to an injury or other event of his period of active service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against the claim for service connection.