Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU were denied. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracic spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and myofascial pain syndrome, is aggravated by her service-connected PTSD. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with scoliosis and radiculopathy was granted, effective May 10, 2011. Separate ratings of 60 percent were assigned for the left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve and a separate 20 percent rating for the right lower extremity (RLE) radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve. The effective date for these increased ratings was set at May 10, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative and the appellant, thus dismissing the appeal.

The Board has received notification from the Veteran to withdraw his appeal for a higher rating for left knee degenerative arthritis. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability is granted, with the opinion that the current hearing loss disability was incurred in service due to noise exposure during military service. The lumbar spine disability issue remains pending and will be remanded for further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss and carpal tunnel syndrome. The decision is final as it was not appealed.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the appellant's degenerative osteoarthritis of the left knee does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, and his separate compensable disability rating for a left knee scar is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability are being remanded due to the need for new examinations.

The Veteran is service-connected for multiple disabilities, including coronary artery disease and diabetes mellitus. The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected conditions render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due solely to his disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's right knee disability claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination. The issue of entitlement to a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes remains on hold.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA aid and attendance examination to determine if the appellant requires regular aid and assistance due to her disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations of his lumbosacral spine disability was granted, with a 40% evaluation effective August 1, 2013. Separate 10% evaluations were assigned for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's initial claim for left hip degenerative arthritis was denied, and the subsequent claims for right hip degenerative arthritis, gout of the bilateral toes and ankles, lumbar spine DDD, left lower extremity radiculopathy, bilateral pes planus with right foot plantar fasciitis, hypertension, status post surgical report of the left ring finger extensor tendon, and residual scar, left ring finger, status post surgery were also denied.,The Veteran's claim for a total hip replacement was granted, but not at the maximum 50% evaluation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and DJD of the right shoulder, finding that new evidence supports a link between these conditions and service. The Board also found that the disabilities are directly related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim on appeal. The Veteran's service-connected back disorder was also denied as secondary to his knees.