Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine and obtaining all outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence, or because the conditions are not presumed to be related to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left ring finger is found to be related to his service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and right shoulder osteoarthritis are still pending and require additional development.

The Veteran's right little finger osteoarthritis is manifested by painful motion and limitation of motion, with ankylosis of the metacarpophalangeal joint. The evidence does not reflect that his disability interferes with the motion of other fingers or thumb, nor does it demonstrate ankylosis or limitation of motion of any other digits. As such, a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and providing appropriate notice.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability was granted. The claims for service connection for tinnitus and hearing loss were reopened based on new evidence submitted since the previous decisions.

The Veteran's cervical spine and low back disabilities are currently rated at the maximum available ratings of 20 percent for each condition. The VA has determined that these conditions do not warrant a higher rating based on current symptomatology.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent for anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency, with a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis. The left knee disability is rated at 10 percent for the same conditions.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, was incurred in service and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board has received a withdrawal of the appeal from the appellant's authorized representative, thus dismissing the appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, characterized as degenerative arthritis, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board denied service connection for a left foot disability, finding that the current condition is not related to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA spine examination. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability and osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected shrapnel wound to the left thigh is shown to be productive of a disability picture manifested by osteoarthritis of the left knee involving pain and limitation of motion. A separate 10 percent evaluation for this condition has been granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability is due to his military service, while his left knee condition does not appear to be related to any disease or injury in service.

The Board finds that the Veteran sustained a right knee injury during ACDUTRA in October 1989 and grants service connection for her right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his knee disabilities and left ankle osteoarthritis, as well as service connection for a urinary disorder. The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the knee disabilities at the May 2013 hearing.