Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis with lumbosacral strain does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as his range of motion and symptoms do not approximate those required for any higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his low back disability was denied because he failed to appear for a scheduled VA examination without providing good cause.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right knee osteoarthritis, right foot degenerative arthritis, and right hip strain were denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while sufficient to meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU, do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the appellant's diagnosed conditions (moderate bilateral pes planus, exostosis of the right foot, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine) are not related to his active service.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted a higher rating of 60 percent effective March 14, 2012.,His associated radiculopathy of the right lower extremity received a higher rating of 20 percent effective March 14, 2012. The left lower extremity radiculopathy continues to be rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to a need for additional examination and evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims for service connection for arthritis of the hands, arms, legs, and shoulders, water blisters on the hands and feet, loose teeth and calcium knots on the inside of the jaw, injury to the chest, injury to the face with steering wheel fragments, and status post fusion of the cervical spine at C5-6 with osteoarthritis to the left arm. The claims for service connection for COPD/emphysema and knee injuries are reopened.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic low back strain and posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the right thumb are being remanded due to recent VA medical records, clarification of effective dates, and review of relevant VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip osteoarthritis is etiologically related to his active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for a bilateral knee disability is addressed in the Remand section.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and left hip bursitis. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability will also be addressed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and an increased evaluation for postoperative residuals of subtotal gastrectomy with Bilroth II, bilateral hearing loss, and recurrent tinnitus. The Veteran's left shoulder disability was not found to be related to active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left wrist due to new and material evidence submitted since the last denial. The claim is then granted as the medical opinions suggest that the current condition is related to a traumatic injury sustained during military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right knee were denied by the Board. The case is being remanded to obtain additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin cancer is related to his in-service sun exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran seeks an initial increased disability rating for his right wrist condition, which was previously rated as noncompensable and later increased to 10 percent. The case is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated medical records.

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records are needed and will be obtained. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU per 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, his claim of entitlement to a TDIU is submitted to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) due to marked interference with employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the feet was denied as there is no indication of any foot injury during a period of active duty or inactive duty training, and there is no evidence that his current disability is related to his military service.