Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right thumb disorders, including slight degenerative arthritis of the MCP joint and thickening of the cortex of the metacarpal, are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on their current functional impairment, with the left knee receiving a higher rating due to its more severe symptoms.

The Veteran's current right knee disability, diagnosed as a meniscal tear, patellofemoral pain syndrome, and osteoarthritis, was incurred in active service. The Board grants the claim of service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination and consider the claim on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his claims.

The Board has determined that the evidence of record meets the minimum threshold for obtaining a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's arthritic conditions are related to his military service, including herbicide exposure. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is intertwined with the above-mentioned issue.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a left knee disability. With reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran, the criteria for entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability are met.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability was reopened and granted effective January 29, 2010.,Effective January 29, 2010, the Veteran is awarded a 10 percent rating for osteoarthritis with chondromalacia patella of both knees.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for a lung condition to include pleuritic lung disorder, asthma, and chest pain and trauma. The Veteran's thoracolumbar back disorder is also denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be related to any of the claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for painful hip extension prior to October 26, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic lumbosacral strain with mild degenerative arthritis L5/S1 is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his back disability.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected osteoarthritis and sclerosis, right sacroiliac joint with scoliosis status post laminectomy is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically his bilateral knee conditions. The Board grants special monthly compensation based on this finding.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was granted, and he is currently receiving a 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of bilateral knees did not manifest during service or for many years thereafter, and is otherwise unrelated to service. As such, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's knee disabilities were rated at 10 percent each before the Veteran underwent total knee replacement surgery in 2013 and 2014 respectively. After the surgeries, his knees are currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back and right hip disabilities are at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability did not manifest during or as a result of active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right great toe/midfoot degenerative joint disease and the nature and etiology of any left foot disabilities.