Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected left knee disabilities, and for further development as needed.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated as noncompensable prior to August 24, 2013, and at 10 percent thereafter. The Veteran seeks increased ratings for these conditions.,For the right shoulder disability, a rating in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis with right total hip replacement and tinnitus has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a new opinion on service connection for hypertension and retrieving any relevant private medical records. The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection and increased rating are pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral feet was denied as there is no evidence of such a condition in service or within one year after separation. The Board found that the Veteran has been diagnosed with bone spurs, plantar fasciitis, and hallux valgus but not degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for hypertension and patellar tendonitis of the right knee with degenerative arthritis have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's schedular guidelines.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his left foot conditions, finding that there was no clear and unmistakable evidence of a pre-existing condition or aggravation during active duty.

The Board denied the appellant's appeal, finding that his character of discharge from service was under dishonorable conditions and thus barred him from VA benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected hallux valgus and plantar fasciitis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, as the additional evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

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

The Board found that carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis of the hands, and osteoarthritis of the hands were not incurred or aggravated during active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA. The Veteran's conditions are attributed to her work as a mail sorter for USPS after service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and to obtain relevant medical records. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by painful motion with limited flexion to 70 degrees and no subluxation or instability, is rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5260.

The Veteran's right knee strain is rated at 10 percent, and his right and left shoulder conditions are each rated at 20 percent since June 14, 2013. The appeal for higher ratings remains pending.

The Board has determined that there are no separate neurological manifestations involving either upper or lower extremities associated with the Veteran's service-connected cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, respectively.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent. For the period prior to October 23, 2008, he was not unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a local hearing with a Decision Review Officer (DRO). The claims of service connection for TBI, cervical spine issues, and facial injuries are pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.