Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2013

The Board has granted service connection for left knee injury residuals and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for malaria, hemorrhagic fever, and osteoarthritis due to lack of evidence related to these conditions during the Veteran's period of service. The claims were not reopened as new and material evidence was not provided.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as his claim for TDIU. The decision did not address any specific exposure basis or grant a rating based on the PACT Act.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the need for aid and attendance, which is sufficient to meet the criteria for SMC at the O rate.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his thoracolumbar spine disability and cervical spine disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right ulnar neuropathy, left knee lateral release with osteoarthritis, and right shoulder status post labral tear repair on or after December 9, 2010.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to evaluate the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The appeal is not yet decided.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to clarify the Veteran's claims for service connection of arthritis in both knees, as well as determine if his current knee conditions are related to his service-connected right knee disorders.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities prior to December 16, 2008 were denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing and verifying his current contact information.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's low back disability, characterized as lumbar spondylosis and degenerative arthritis, was granted a 20 percent rating effective from March 19, 2012.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and a bilateral knee disorder, finding that the Veteran did not have a verified non-combat stressor in service on which to base a diagnosis of PTSD. Osteoarthritis of the knees was also found not related to service.

The Veteran's death was attributed to suicide due to his service-connected major depression, which contributed substantially or materially to his death.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the Veteran's right foot disability.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine condition is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is manifested by flexion limited to no less than 135 degrees, with pain at 130 degrees, extension limited to no more than 0 degrees, degenerative arthritis, and slight instability. The criteria for a higher rating are not met.

The Veteran's claim for an increase in the disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is pending. The claim for extension of a temporary total disability rating beyond January 2011 due to convalescence following lumbar spine surgery in August 2010 is also pending and requires additional development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his depression and other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and Worker's Compensation claims information. The case will be readjudicated after the completion of this development.