Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his hearing loss, gastrointestinal conditions, knee and elbow disabilities, as well as secondary service connection claims. The case is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing and issuance of a Statement of the Case on severance of service connection for hearing loss and secondary service connection for low back, right hip, and left hip disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case to the AOJ for further development, including scheduling an examination and considering whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for PTSD and for increased ratings for his depressive disorder, lumbar strain with radiculitis, right tibia and fibula fracture residuals, and recurrent lumbar strain. The issue of TDIU is also pending.

The Veteran's appeal is for an increased rating for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability. The RO has previously assigned a 20 percent rating, and the Veteran seeks a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional private treatment records and compliance with VA procedures.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, finding that there was no relationship between his current disability and his military service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine with IVDS did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 26, 2014 and in excess of 20 percent from that date.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthritis and DDD of the lumbosacral spine are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hand disability is less likely than not related to his service, including any in-service motor vehicle accident and burn injury. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his cervical spine, low back, and right shoulder disabilities were denied. The appeals are based on the criteria set forth in VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected knee and wrist conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including osteoarthritis, spondylosis, facet arthropathy, and sacrioilitis, was incurred in service. Service connection for bilateral lower extremity neuropathy is not granted.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 31, 2012 for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity quadriceps tendon tear with osteoarthritis, status post repair is being remanded due to a request for a DRO hearing.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back, bilateral ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities are not service-connected as they were not caused or aggravated by his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and right hip disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and the retrieval of relevant medical records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA medical examination to determine if his diagnosed conditions are etiologically related to service-connected constipation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for recurrent subluxation of the left knee and osteoarthritis of the left knee were denied as there is no evidence of severe instability or limitation of motion warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and its impact on employment.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis and torn medial meniscus with recurrent effusions are currently rated at the maximum allowable under current VA regulations. The slight lateral instability is separately evaluated.