Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and consideration of extraschedular rating for the right hip disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hip and arthritis of multiple joints other than the right hip, both secondary to his service-connected Lyme disease. The appeal is considered on a de novo basis.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome with osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee osteoarthritis and left knee sprain with instability, finding that there is no new evidence to reopen the claim or additional functional loss due to pain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including consideration of an extraschedular rating and a TDIU due to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the fingers, hands, shoulders, and spine have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities and whether he is unemployable due to these conditions.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine does not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability evaluation greater than 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of December 3, 2004 for his TDIU due to CUE in a May 2011 rating decision. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to December 3, 2004.

The Veteran's current left ankle arthritis was not incurred or aggravated by active service, and the Board denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for low back, knee, hip, and shoulder disorders, finding no clear and unmistakable evidence of preexisting conditions and insufficient medical nexus to link current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his PTSD and right knee disability, did not cause or contribute substantially to his death from pneumonia. Other conditions such as COPD, diabetes mellitus, smoking-related issues, and pre-existing pneumonia were also contributing factors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disorders is being remanded due to the introduction of a new issue (obesity) and inextricability with the existing issues. The AOJ should adjudicate both claims before making a final determination.

The Veteran's claims were denied, and he was not granted any new effective dates or increased ratings for his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis and meniscal tear of the femoral fracture residuals do not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, depression, sleep apnea, knee disabilities, and osteoarthritis, were denied. The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the claimed conditions and active duty or National Guard service.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, bilateral knee disability, hepatitis C, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, dysthymic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and panic disorder), finding that there was no in-service injury or event related to these conditions, nor continuous symptoms since service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hip disabilities and their relationship to service.