Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus was withdrawn. The claims for service connection for bilateral knee and elbow disabilities, as well as migraine headaches, secondary to service-connected conditions, have been denied due to lack of credible evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for coronary artery disease post myocardial infarction and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective July 2, 2005. The Veteran's calcaneal spur of the right heel (claimed as tendonitis of the right heel) and right ankle disability were also found to be related to his service.

The competent medical evidence does not demonstrate that the Veteran's current right knee disorder had an onset during his period of service or is otherwise related to his active duty. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that it is proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his claims, and the Board does not have jurisdiction over these issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back, right leg, left leg, and left eye disabilities are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected left ankle osteoarthritis, status-post open reduction internal fixation with scars is being remanded due to the need for additional development including a VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the right knee, including consideration of whether there was clear and unmistakable error in a prior rating decision.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for asbestosis has been denied. The issues of service connection for type II diabetes, heart condition (also claimed as congestive heart failure), osteoarthritis, hyperlipidemia, and TDIU have not been addressed.

The Veteran's hypothyroidism is service-connected due to exposure to ionizing radiation. Her bilateral plantar fasciitis and left hip osteoarthritis are both granted initial disability ratings, but the rating for her left hip condition was not increased beyond 10 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted as his combined service-connected disability rating is sufficient to meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and he is unemployable due to his right knee disability.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine was granted a 20 percent rating effective May 22, 2009. The claim for an earlier effective date prior to May 22, 2009 is moot as he has been granted this increased rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, which necessitates assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, toileting, and managing medications.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current neck disability and any in-service event.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including updated VA examinations and obtaining treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability including osteoarthritis and meniscus impairment. The appeal as to the issue of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to uncertainty about whether other foot conditions are related to service. The Veteran contends that her current foot disorders, including sprains and osteoarthritis, developed as a result of wearing boots and high heels in service.

The Veteran's right foot status post-surgical correction of hammer toe and degenerative arthritis were not found to warrant a higher initial disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist disability, right knee degenerative joint disease, hiatal hernia and GERD, and right eye retinal detachment did not have onset in service or were not caused by his active military service.

The Board denied service connection for generalized degenerative arthritis with joint pain and denied entitlement to an increased rating for residuals of tonsillectomy. The Veteran's claims were not related to military service or any presumptive exposure.