Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board also dismissed the appeal as to his claims for increased initial ratings for migraine headaches and degenerative changes to the right shoulder.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA Form 21-8940, scheduling a new VA examination to determine employment capacity due to service-connected disabilities, and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder degenerative arthritis is service-connected, as it was incurred during his military service. However, there is no evidence of a current right hip disability to support service connection.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects the limitation of motion and radiculopathy. The current rating adequately compensates for his symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for COPD was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Board finds that any such condition is not related to service.,Osteoarthritis claims were also denied, with the Board finding that arthritis did not manifest during service or within one year post-service and is not linked to service.,The Veteran's claim for hepatitis-C infection was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and it is not related to service.,Scoliosis was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Board finds that any such condition is not related to service.,Chronic dry skin with pruritis claims were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Board finds that any such condition is not related to service or an undiagnosed illness.,The Veteran's claim for joint/muscle pain, memory loss, anxiety, depression, night sweats, mood swings, emotional problems, sleep disturbance, nightmares and neurological symptoms was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability and the Board finds that any such condition is not related to service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to scheduling issues for a Travel Board hearing. The claims of service connection and effective date are pending.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease status post bypass surgery associated with hypertension was granted an initial rating of 30 percent from February 18, 2004, to July 7, 2010, and a subsequent increased rating to 60 percent effective July 8, 2010.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including below the knee amputation and osteoarthritis of the left knee, render him unemployable in light of his educational and occupational history.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis and meniscus tear, is aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to additional development being required, including obtaining VA outpatient treatment records and a medical opinion regarding his left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board found that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's current lumbosacral spine disability, diagnosed as acquired spinal stenosis, degenerative arthritis with radiculopathy/neuropathy, and degenerative disc disease, is causally related to his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to by, any injury or disease incurred in or aggravated by active service. The cause of death was determined to be arteriosclerotic cerebrovascular disease and severe degenerative arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for plica and degenerative arthritis of the right knee, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service injury. Service connection is denied for a left knee disorder as there was no evidence of such during or after service.

The Board has granted service connection for radiculopathy of the lower extremities, secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine disability. The remaining issues are REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for chronic back strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative changes of the dorsal spine were granted, with a rating of 40% effective June 30, 2012.