Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease of the right hip, osteoarthritis of the left hip, and degenerative changes of the pubic symphysis do not preclude substantially gainful employment. The criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities have not been met.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for depression and osteoarthritis of the right knee, as well as his claim for TDIU, are all granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to additional development being necessary, including obtaining SSA records and VA examination for left hand and low back disabilities.

The Board has determined that a 10 percent rating is warranted for the Veteran's service-connected left foot disability, which includes hallux rigidus and osteoarthritis. The condition warrants this rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including residuals of a fractured right tibia and fibula, osteoarthritis of the right hip, donor site scars of the right leg, absence of a right lateral cutaneous nerve, and bilateral hearing loss, preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has determined that TDIU is warranted based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 60 percent effective February 19, 2010.,SMC for the period from December 19, 2005, to January 31, 2007, is granted.

The Board denied service connection for back and neck disorders, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, including degenerative arthritis and total knee arthroplasty, is caused by service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability, peripheral neuropathy, and bowel/bladder impairment, and addressing whether service connection should be restored for type II diabetes mellitus with early diabetic neuropathy of the lower extremities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back and shoulder conditions, are sufficiently severe to render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to June 27, 2011.

The Veteran's patellofemoral pain syndrome and chondromalacia of the right knee are service-connected. The osteoarthritis of the right knee is not service-connected as it is due to natural progression.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right ankle degenerative arthritis, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected left ankle degenerative disease.

The Board has granted service connection for a scar on the forehead, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support this claim. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus are not service-connected as they did not have their clinical onset in active service or are otherwise causally related to active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back disorders are not related to his service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's chronic low back disability, including diagnosed as a low back strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine, is not related to her active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee conditions, instability of the right knee, and moderate impairment of the right leg quadriceps muscle. The effective date is October 21, 2005, as this was the date the Veteran filed to reopen his claim for these disabilities.

The Veteran's current bilateral knee tri-compartment osteoarthritis is found to be related to his active service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as knee conditions, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.