Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right hip disability did not have its clinical onset in service and is not otherwise related to active duty. Osteoarthritis of the right hip was not exhibited within the first post-service year, and the right hip disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his service connected residuals of a fracture of the right tibia and fibula.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and depressive disorder) do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantial employment, and there was no basis to refer this claim for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran has a combined rating of 80% for service-connected disabilities and is employed in suitable employment, thus meeting the criteria to deny his request for VA vocational rehabilitation benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral ankle disorders, lumbar spine disorder, and shoulder disorders. The disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's current 20 percent rating for right ankle fracture, status post open reduction and internal fixation is denied as his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current condition.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disability was denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a higher rating prior to July 31, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates and service connection was denied. The RO granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with a 40 percent rating, and GERD with a 30 percent rating, both effective January 8, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the bilateral feet is not etiologically related to a cold weather injury in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in conjunction with his education/training and work experience, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disabilities. The TDIU claim is also dependent on the outcome of this development.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 20 percent since February 22, 2011. Prior to that date, the condition was rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability has not been shown to meet the criteria for a higher rating, and his claim of service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee is considered 'unknown' due to lack of clarity in the appeal. His TDIU claim remains unclear.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for instability of the right knee, effective from the date of the December 2011 VA examination. The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims for increased initial evaluations for right shoulder rotator cuff strain, degenerative joint disease of the right hip, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's muscle and joint pain of the left shoulder is not related to service, but his early degenerative changes in the right hip are considered service-connected.,Fatigue, headaches, and night sweats are all found to be related to service-connected PTSD.

The Board granted increased evaluations for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, as well as right hand and ankle conditions. The appellant was also awarded a TDIU.

The Board has reopened the appellant's claim of service connection for a back disability, including osteoporosis, lumbago, and osteoarthritis. The new evidence submitted by the appellant establishes that his current back disability was incurred in service as a result of trauma sustained during parachute jumps.