Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the right knee was denied as his initial claim dated February 26, 1990 was invalid due to lack of signature. The most recent formal claim was received on October 31, 2007.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis, left thumb and forefinger is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examination.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his physical disabilities, including blindness in one eye, significant vision impairment, bilateral hearing loss, and multiple disabling conditions. As a result, special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete examination reports and failure to address certain evidence. The case is now pending further development.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disorder, gout (claimed as osteoarthritis), and asthma. The Veteran's right knee condition was found to be related to the natural progression of pre-existing pathology.,Gout did not develop during active service and is considered unrelated to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disabilities, including pes planus and osteoarthritis of both feet, are not related to service. The pre-existing conditions were found to have clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability and for obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for the initial disability ratings of uterine fibroids, hypertension, residual scarring from caesarian section, and hypothyroidism have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to April 17, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for degenerative joint disease of the left great toe has been granted, with a current evaluation of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a right hand disorder and eczema, finding no current disability related to military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to October 1, 2009. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right knee osteoarthritis was denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 23, 2008 for a 20% rating for left knee scars was denied. The right knee disability claim was reopened based on new and material evidence received since the May 2007 decision.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder, thus denying the reopening of the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar spine disorder are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective June 1, 2007.

The Board has decided to remand this case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the first MCP joint on the left hand and nerve damage to the left hand, finding that there was no evidence showing these conditions began in or were related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records. The issues include a claim for an increased evaluation for left ankle disability, service connection claims for left knee injury and migraine headaches, and potential entitlement to benefits under the Veterans' Benefits Act of 1974 (PACT) due to exposure to burn pits.