Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The case will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability has been found to aggravate his degenerative arthritis of the left knee, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, and degenerative arthritis of the right hip. Effective August 16, 2011, a 40 percent rating is granted for this condition.

The Veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, including bilateral foot and shoulder conditions, which prevent him from standing for long periods of time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed hip, ankle, and foot disorders are not related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's respiratory disorder, diagnosed as allergic rhinitis, is related to his in-service exposure to jet engine fumes and other environmental hazards.,The Veteran's right elbow disorder, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is related to the repetitive stress he experienced during his service as an aircraft mechanic.

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for hypertension and lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to the need for updated VA examinations and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate examination findings and issues related to radiculopathy and lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records.

The Board is reopening the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left hip disability, but it remains unclear whether his right leg disability has aggravated his left hip condition. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent prior to June 22, 2012 and 40 percent beginning on that date. The Veteran contends his disability is worse than what is contemplated by these ratings.,Prior to June 22, 2012, the disability was shown to have been productive of a limitation of extension limited to 20 degrees; however, flexion did not reach 45 degrees or less and there was no instability. Beginning on June 22, 2012, the Veteran's extension was limited to 30 degrees.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence regarding his upper spine arthritis and prostate cancer claim. The VA will schedule a hearing for the Veteran on his prostate cancer claim, and arrange for a VA examination to determine if he has current thoracic spine arthritis.

The Veteran's low back disability is found to be causally related to service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The hearing loss, tinnitus, left leg neuritis, and bilateral hip arthritis claims are pending.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, degenerative joint disease of the back and neck, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and carpal tunnel syndrome are all related to his active military service. The evidence shows he was exposed to noise in service which led to his current hearing loss and tinnitus. His orthopedic conditions are also linked to his years of service due to repetitive motion injuries.

The Board has determined that a 20 percent evaluation is warranted for the torn medial meniscus of the right knee under Diagnostic Code 5258, based on symptoms including dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of 'locking', pain, and effusion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination of his right knee and the addition of SSA records to the electronic file.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to reassess the severity of his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the knees and ankles were denied by the Board.

The Veteran's right thumb disability, characterized by post-traumatic degenerative arthritis with consequent pain and tenderness to palpation, weakened movement, incoordination, atrophy from disuse, difficulty with fine motor activities requiring a key-pinch maneuver, and no gap between this thumb and adjacent fingers, warrants an initial 10 percent rating.