Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable from performing all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience.,The Veteran is entitled to an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches.,Service connection has been granted for chronic fatigue syndrome as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis. The Veteran's skin disorder is also service connected as secondary to service-connected sarcoidosis. Service connection has not been established for a respiratory disorder or sleep disturbance.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain and bilateral knee disabilities, including obtaining relevant medical records and verifying his periods of active duty.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, which includes a letter from the Department of the Army verifying his involvement in a helicopter crash during active service. The VA examiner's opinion is inadequate as it relied on an inaccurate factual predicate.

The Veteran's low back strain with degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, effective December 2, 2013. The Board has found that the current rating adequately reflects his disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hip disability is not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical degenerative arthritis with stenosis is a direct result of service, and thus grants service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left and right knee disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for PTSD was denied as there is no current diagnosis of PTSD in accordance with the American Psychiatric Association Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders, 4th ed., that is related to a verified stressor event.,The Veteran's claim for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as there is no competent evidence establishing that the condition is related to disease or injury or other event in active service. The first manifestation of diabetes mellitus type II occurred many years after service separation and it was not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's arthritis of both knees and osteoarthritis of the left little finger have been granted service connection. His hearing loss has been increased to a 20% rating effective from September 6, 2012.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, right and left hallux valgus with bunion deformity and partial second toe amputation have been rated as 30 percent for bilateral pes planus and 10 percent each for right and left hallux valgus. The claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the right knee resulted in pain and limited range of motion, but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The Board also found that the Veteran's TDIU claim from April 2009 to June 6, 2010, was warranted due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and ensuring all pertinent medical treatment records are added to the claims file.

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

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination for his lumbar spine disability and to determine if he qualifies for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and readjudicating the issues of higher initial disability ratings for his service-connected back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's right knee disability is manifested by degenerative arthritis, resulting in pain and noncompensable limitation in motion. The disability has not manifested ankylosis, recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, dislocation of the semilunar cartilage, malunion or non-union of the tibia and fibula, or genu recurvatum.