Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to determine if he is entitled to a separate compensable evaluation for right knee cartilage impairment, status post meniscectomy, in addition to the existing ratings for instability and arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected thoracic spine disability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been raised.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess his ability to function in most employment settings due to his service-connected disabilities, and for further development of the record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back, left leg, and right leg disabilities are service-connected based on direct evidence of injury or disease during service.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, characterized by limited motion of the radiocarpal joint, has been rated at 10 percent since service connection was granted. The Board finds that this rating is appropriate given her current range of motion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and issuing a Supplemental Statement of the Case (SOC) on several issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his cervical spine and traumatic brain injury disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current knee, ankle and toe disabilities are not related to his service-connected right thigh gunshot wound. The VA examiner concluded that the osteoarthritis is more likely due to his age, obesity and occupational history.

The Veteran's service-connected left leg disability, including knee and ankle conditions, has been rated at 20 percent since October 5, 2007.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability present in service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's lower back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and his right L5/S1 lumbar radiculopathy is rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not otherwise attributable to service. As a result, the claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and opinions regarding his right knee condition and hypertension.

The Board found clear and unmistakable evidence that the Veteran's pre-existing lumbar spine disability was not aggravated by service beyond its natural progression.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his major depression and other psychiatric disorders, have caused him to be unable to obtain and sustain a substantially gainful occupation as of September 11, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an examination and opinion regarding whether any low back conditions are related to a reported in-service fall from a ladder. The Veteran's history of gymnastics participation is also to be considered.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral hip osteoarthritis was not related to service or his service-connected lumbosacral strain, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability causes marked interference with employment and warrants an extraschedular rating of 10 percent from April 1, 2008.