Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2012

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis, status-post right hip arthroplasty, finding that it was incurred in service due to his in-service duties involving heavy lifting.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee osteoarthritis and hearing loss, do not render him unemployable as he is still capable of performing sedentary work.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a new VA examination for left foot disability.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has not been characterized by ankylosis or incapacitating episodes since October 13, 2011. The claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection and a rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's claim is inextricably intertwined with his pending claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left lower extremity disorder, diagnosed as traumatic neuropathy, is service-connected and was incurred during service. The right knee osteoarthritis is also service-connected and is considered secondary to the left lower extremity disorder.,The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is related to his left lower extremity dysfunction due to abnormal weight-bearing.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disability was granted, with the disability rated at 30 percent. A separate 10 percent evaluation is assigned for instability of the left knee.

The Board has remanded the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective June 1, 2010. The rating reflects the severity of his symptoms and functional impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his cervical spine disability was denied, as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 15, 2011, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter. The other claims were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees were denied as there was no evidence showing that his symptoms warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is being remanded due to the retirement of the Veterans Law Judge who conducted his Travel Board hearing. The case will be scheduled for another Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses or symptoms that would warrant an increased rating for his right knee disability, and denied the claims for bilateral shin splints, right elbow pain, and bilateral wrist strain. However, by extending the benefit of doubt to the Veteran, his lumbosacral strain was determined to be service-connected.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, joint pain, and skin rashes is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to his military service. The exposure basis is presumed herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right hand disability. The case will also be referred to the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director, Compensation and Pension Service, for consideration of an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ankle and bilateral knee osteoarthritis were not incurred or aggravated during his National Guard service, and thus denied the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability before May 7, 2004 was denied as there is no credible evidence showing he could not secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations of various knee, foot, and elbow conditions have been granted.,However, the initial evaluations assigned are less than what was requested in some cases.