Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board videoconference hearing. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for left knee osteoarthritis and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his right knee disability claim are pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis and stenosis of the lumbar spine are related to her military service, granting her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected left hip and knee disabilities do not warrant higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and tinnitus, as new evidence received since the final May 2009 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,However, the Board finds that there is not sufficient evidence to grant either claim on the merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip and leg disability is not related to his active duty service, and it is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle osteoarthritis. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis, meniscal pathology, and patellofemoral chondromalacia of the bilateral knees. The issue of an increased rating for lumbar/low back strain remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and treatment records, as well as for a new VA examination. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, and osteoarthritis of the right index finger MP joint are pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, a pulmonary condition, gout, degenerative arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and metabolic syndrome. The Board also found that there is no evidence of chemical exposure or TCE exposure to support these claims.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine has been rated at 40 percent since September 23, 2002. The claim for an increased rating is granted as of March 30, 2010 to June 2, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and other issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The issues of service connection for various foot, back, right hip, and left knee disabilities are under review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and sleep apnea, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that he is entitled to a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder is not service connected, as it does not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to Agent Orange exposure and there is no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service injury. The claim is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities do not warrant higher ratings based on their current manifestations. The currently assigned 10% rating for each disability is maintained.

The Veteran's right ankle fracture residuals necessitated convalescence to November 31, 2007. The temporary total rating was extended to this date.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the left hand, right hand, and right ankle to his active duty service. The Veteran's claims for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's right thumb osteoarthritis has been manifested by painful motion, and limitation of motion with a gap between the thumb pad and fingers. The Board finds for the entire period on appeal a 10 percent rating is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature, onset, and etiology of any current headaches, low back disorder, bilateral leg and ankle disorder, hip disorder, and PFB.

The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine had its onset in service or is related to service.