Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected right knee osteoarthritis was not found to warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned ratings for flexion and extension prior to April 7, 2010.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU eligibility were granted, with the effective date being the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right arm with brachial plexus and residual right median neuropathy is denied. The Board finds that his disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The appeal is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further information and compliance with duties to notify and assist. A VA examination will be conducted to assess the Veteran's functional impairment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension, migraines, and other service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating or extraschedular evaluation. The Board denied his claim of entitlement to TDIU prior to September 10, 2010.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disability did not manifest in service or within one year of discharge, and is not caused or aggravated by any aspect of service or by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's PTSD has been found to warrant a 70 percent disability rating, effective from November 13, 2009. The Board also granted service connection for the low back disability with left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee. The Veteran was also awarded TDIU benefits.

The Veteran's low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, and there are no findings of incapacitating episodes or unfavorable ankylosis. The claims for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy and service connection for diabetes mellitus have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis was not incurred during her active duty or Reserve service, and thus denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations have been granted. He is now entitled to a 10 percent evaluation for his left knee degenerative arthritis, effective from April 1, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, lumbosacral spine, and left foot drop have been denied. The claim for a compensable evaluation for the left fifth hammertoe remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing and issuing a Statement of the Case regarding his claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran withdrew from appeal all issues related to increased ratings for various knee and spine conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his right knee disability, initially rated as 10 percent disabling prior to September 12, 2011, was granted. The effective date of this grant is December 15, 2010.,A temporary total rating for the Veteran's right knee disability, effective from September 12, 2011, and a permanent 30 percent disability rating were assigned on November 1, 2012. The effective date of this permanent rating is December 15, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the record, including obtaining missing VA treatment records and arranging an orthopedic examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's appeal is currently in remand status due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining outstanding treatment records. The issues include increased ratings for low back disability and sciatic nerve impairment of the right lower extremity, as well as TDIU.

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

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. He is now in receipt of disability compensation for his diagnosed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and for additional development of the Veteran's claims.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, right knee degenerative arthritis, and hypertension.,There is no evidence of chronic conditions during service or within the applicable presumptive period.