Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a contemporaneous orthopedic examination of his right ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking his in-service injury to his present condition.

The Board granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for symptomatic removal of the semilunar cartilage in the left knee as of February 17, 2012. The Veteran's chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis and medial meniscal tear was previously evaluated at 10 percent based on limitation of motion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for left knee disability and granted service connection based on evidence showing a current diagnosis of left knee osteoarthritis that is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain clarification and additional medical examinations for his hearing loss and right knee conditions.

The Board denied service connection for painful joints and hypertension, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred or aggravated by military service.,Specifically, the Board determined that degenerative arthritis other than arthritis of the back was not caused by military service and did not manifest within one year following any period of service. Hypertension was also found to be not related to military service.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, effective March 24, 2004. The Board found that the criteria for a higher initial rating were not met.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The RO granted service connection for right knee arthritis on April 7, 2004.

The Veteran's service connection claim for sleep apnea is granted. The Veteran's initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for migraine headaches is granted, with a current rating of 30 percent.

The Board finds that the Veteran's hypertension began in service and has been continuously present since then. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type 2, was initially demonstrated many years after service and is not shown to be causally related to his active service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, tinnitus, and osteoarthritis of the left thumb are not shown to be causally related to his active service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the current severity of his service-connected cervical spine and right ankle disabilities, as well as their impact on his employability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling an examination and considering whether TDIU is appropriate on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture, and therefore, an extraschedular evaluation is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a bilateral hand disability and an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's low back disability is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the metacarpophalangeal joint with limitation of flexion, left ring finger was rated at 20 percent prior to May 3, 2010. From May 3, 2010 onwards, a higher evaluation is not available by operation of law as it has been rated at the maximum schedular evaluation.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating for PTSD and service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee have been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and a new psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and updated medical records.

The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's current knee disorders are related to his military service.

The Board has granted the petition to reopen the claim for service connection of a low back disability, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The issue is now on remand for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for moderate osteoarthritis of the right wrist and a residual scar from a laceration in the right hand. The claim for other disorders, including strain, is denied due to lack of medical nexus.