Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees and degenerative joint disease (osteoarthritis) of the right knee were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of an in-service injury to his legs. The VA examiner concluded that it was less likely than not that the Veteran's current leg conditions are causally related to service.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is not service connected as there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service, and the current condition is not related to active duty service.,Further examination and opinion are needed to determine if the Veteran's gout and any diagnosed foot conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that a TDIU is warranted.

The Board has determined that the issues of service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral hip osteoarthritis are inextricably intertwined, necessitating their resolution prior to adjudication. The Veteran's claims will be remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination reports and new evidence may be needed for a proper determination of service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar stenosis with degenerative arthritis and sciatic nerve impairment of the right lower extremity are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disorder, lumbar spine disorder, hemorrhoids, and basal cell carcinoma are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship with his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability, including degenerative disc disease and arthritis, was not incurred or aggravated by active duty service. The claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for service connection of a low back disability, and the Board has dismissed the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further action, including scheduling a hearing before the Board at the RO in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

The Board found that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the hips, shoulders, and knees did not have a nexus to his active service. The evidence does not establish a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's hypertension is reopened and granted as secondary to his service-connected respiratory disability.,Service connection for asbestosis is granted based on exposure during active duty at Fort Sill.,The claim for increased rating of reactive airway disease remains denied.,Compensation payments for the service-connected left shoulder and low back disabilities are restored.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his conditions were found to be service-connected and not warranting an increased rating.

The Veteran's right shoulder and low back disabilities have been rated based on their current functional limitations, with no higher ratings warranted due to the lack of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes. The claims are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate previous VA examinations. The Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities will be evaluated again.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine strain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are being remanded. His claim for an increased rating for migraine headaches is also being remanded, but he must first perfect his appeal by filing a Substantive Appeal.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the back from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective October 1, 2010, was proper and followed due process requirements.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and probable chondromalacia of the patella are currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The issues on appeal include a request for higher ratings.,For the period prior to July 25, 2009, the Veteran's left knee arthritis is rated as 30 percent disabling due to limitation of flexion and 10 percent disabling due to limitation of extension.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, and right hip disabilities as well as glaucoma and cataracts. The Veteran's PTSD was rated in excess of 50%.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The case will be referred back to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.