Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for mechanical low back pain, as well as to obtain medical records related to the Veteran's pseudo-folliculitis barbae and PTSD. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of whether her service-connected disabilities, without considering any nonservice-connected disabilities, render her unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, right shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis, and left wrist spur were denied as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left leg disorder and a higher rating for his right knee degenerative arthritis were both denied by the Board.

The Veteran's left knee disability, status post left knee replacement surgery, has been rated at 30 percent since November 1, 2006. The RO denied a higher rating for this condition.

The Veteran's initial ratings for headaches and bilateral wrist arthritis were denied as there was no evidence of characteristic prostrating attacks averaging once a month over the last several months, or less frequent attacks warranting a noncompensable rating. The initial staged ratings for degenerative arthritic changes of the right and left wrists met the criteria for 10 percent ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is granted, as it is at least as likely as not related to active military service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent, effective since February 15, 1954. The Board has also granted separate ratings for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with the low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of his claim for a left hand disability. The remaining conditions were found to be related to his military service and assigned initial noncompensable evaluations.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for a psychiatric disorder, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, as it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right hip disability. The remaining issues of service connection are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations and a search for private treatment records are needed to properly evaluate the Veteran's claims. The Veteran is also denied service connection for sciatica of the right lower extremity, tension headaches secondary to hypertension, bilateral hearing loss disability, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and hypertension.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disorder is less likely due to service, and his right knee disability did not cause or aggravate his left knee disorder.

The Veteran's service connection claim for osteoarthritis in his thoracolumbar spine is granted. The RO also continued to deny the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for foot and ankle disorders, and for GERD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hearing loss, residuals of head injury, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, hypertension, fatty liver, glucose intolerance, and lumbar degenerative arthritis. The decision also addressed a claim for overpayment of pension benefits.

The Board granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and assigned a 10 percent disability rating effective March 10, 2006. The Veteran's current symptoms include constant pain, locking, and instability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not related to his service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral quadriceps tendon repair was not caused or made worse by his service-connected osteoarthritis of the knees, and thus denied his claim for secondary service connection.