Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as lumbar spondylosis and degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, is related to an injury in service. The Board has determined that the criteria for establishing service connection are met.

The Board found that the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder is not related to his period of service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for coronary artery disease and aortic valve sclerosis, as these conditions are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's other claims have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his low back disability. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's chronic left knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is found to have been incurred during his period of active duty service. The Board grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's lumbosacral osteoarthritis with lumbar spinal stenosis does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.

The Veteran's current left upper extremity disabilities, including carpal tunnel syndrome, acromioclavicular joint and glenohumeral joint degenerative features, and mild osteoarthritis of the wrist, are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability, diagnosed as IVDS, lumbar osteoarthritis, and thoracic osteoarthritis, is related to his military service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

Service connection is granted for left knee osteoarthritis and hypertension.,The Veteran's right ankle sprain and left ankle sprain issues are pending, as the necessary medical records have not been received.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for further development of his right knee osteoarthritis claim.

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

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and left knee, status total replacement are currently rated at the minimum levels allowed by law. The VA examiners found no evidence of severe painful motion or weakness in either knee that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and adjudicating the issue of service connection for obesity. The Veteran's claim for bilateral foot disorders will be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected cervical spine arthritis was denied. The evidence did not support a finding that the disability warranted a higher rating based on functional loss, muscle spasm, guarding, localized tenderness, vertebral body fracture, intervertebral disc syndrome requiring bed rest prescribed by a physician, or associated neurological impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disability and entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent, prior to May 25, 2010, and from August 1, 2010, for left knee post-traumatic degenerative arthritis are being addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right and left wrists have been rated at 10 percent since December 5, 2008. The ratings remain unchanged as of July 28, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee lateral release and medial reefing with degenerative arthritis has been dismissed as the claim was not perfected within one year from the notification of the denial. The right knee disorder claim is reopened due to new evidence received since the November 2006 decision.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for left wrist scaphoid fracture has been granted at a 10 percent evaluation, effective October 31, 2008. The current diagnosis is degenerative arthritis with painful limitation of motion.