Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar degenerative arthritis, lumbar strain, grade one L4-L5 spondylolysthesis, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine based on a finding that the disability is related to his active duty service. The claim was reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective October 15, 2008. Service connection for a right wrist disability and a right shoulder disability are denied. The Veteran's service-connected left knee and right knee disabilities each receive a separate 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for his knee disabilities were denied by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with an opportunity to submit or authorize VA to obtain private medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered in combination, preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn as to the claims for higher initial disability ratings for left ankle degenerative arthritis, left ear hearing loss, chronic pansinusitis, allergic rhinitis, traumatic brain injury, and post-concussive headaches.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is related to his active service, including his military duties and a 1993 automobile accident. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for chronic residuals from bilateral fractures of the feet, which he claims occurred during his military service. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased initial evaluations for bilateral knee disabilities is being remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records, conduct a supplemental medical opinion, and readjudicate the claims.

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.