Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review it.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right shoulder osteoarthritis was granted, with the effective date being prior to August 23, 2010. The claims for service connection for low back disorder and skin disorder were reopened due to new evidence received since the previous denial in September 2008.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a spine disorder, which he asserts was caused by an in-service fall and heavy lifting. The case is being remanded to attempt to locate the Veteran's service treatment records at a Philadelphia warehouse and obtain his unit history records from the First Battalion Ninth Marines, First Marine Division.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's sinus condition, right and left shin splints are still pending issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are being remanded due to the failure to schedule a VA examination. The Veteran has not missed any other examinations before or since these knees.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right knee, left knee, and right hip osteoarthritis have been granted at 10 percent each. The Veteran is also rated separately for limitation of extension in the right hip (rated as a separate condition). The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 20 percent, with no higher rating due to lack of ankylosis or other specific criteria being met. The Veteran's left lower sciatic nerve neuralgia has not warranted a higher initial evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left and right hip disorders did not have an onset in service or within one year after separation, and the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that they are related to active duty.

The Veteran's claim for automotive assistance and adaptive equipment was denied as she does not meet the criteria for loss of use of one or both feet due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.,It was not factually ascertainable that the Veteran's right knee sprain with instability and left knee sprain with instability increased to a 10 percent disability rating prior to November 24, 2008.,The Veteran's left osteoarthritis acromioclavicular joint with subacromial bursitis is manifested by limitation of motion at shoulder level but not anklyosis. The effective date for the 10 percent rating remains unchanged as it was granted on July 10, 2009.,The Veteran's Achilles tendonitis with osteoarthritis, right ankle and left ankle are both currently rated at 10 percent and have no evidence of ankylosis or other significant impairment. The effective date for the 10 percent ratings remains unchanged as they were granted on July 10, 2009.,For the entirety of the period on appeal, the Veteran's PTSD is manifested by occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Board finds that the Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and glaucoma are not related to his active duty service, and thus denies these claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left shoulder/arm, right calf, and cervical spine disabilities. The decision also addressed a claim for an increased rating for post-operative right ankle residuals and a request for extension of a temporary total rating based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type 2 was managed with diet only during the initial rating period. For the entire rating period, his right and left knee disabilities have been manifested by painful, noncompensable limitation of motion with stiffness, crepitation, and frequent episodes of pain, locking, and effusion. The Veteran's TDIU claim has also been granted.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to noncompliance with the directives of a previous remand. The case will be reviewed for additional development and readjudication.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination regarding his right knee disability, as he testified that it has worsened since his last VA examination in June 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected cervical spine, right foot disabilities, and multiple scars on the right thumb. The reduction in the rating for the service-connected right shoulder disability from 20 percent to 10 percent effective May 26, 2011 was found to be proper.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a low back disorder. Resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the Board finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish that his current low back disorders are related to his period of active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board will dismiss the appeal of these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and conduct a VA examination. The issues are whether he should receive an increased rating for his service-connected tibia and fibula fracture, and if he qualifies for TDIU.