Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for right ear hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of current right ear hearing loss or a nexus to service.,For the entire increased rating period under appeal, the Veteran's cognitive disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 50 percent.,For the entire increased rating period under appeal, the Veteran's seizure disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent.,For the increased rating period prior to August 22, 2011, the Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For the entire increased rating period under appeal, the Veteran's headaches met the criteria for a 10 percent rating based on symptomatology that is more nearly approximating characteristic prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the course of several months.,For the initial rating period under appeal, the Veteran's degenerative changes of the right elbow did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For the initial rating period under appeal, the Veteran's degenerative changes of the left elbow did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,For the initial rating period prior to April 1, 2011, the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. From April 1, 2011, the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder met the criteria for a 10 percent rating.

The Board has found that the Veteran's current back disability is not related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic foot disorder in service or for many years thereafter, and concluded that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is not related to his military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right ankle osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, as well as a TDIU claim, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of the record.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the right and left knees have been granted increased evaluations, with each knee receiving a 20 percent rating under DC 5260 for limitation of flexion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee are not service-connected as they are not related to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by pain, hyperextension, and limited motion, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current thoracolumbar spine disability is likely due to an inservice injury, granting service connection.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability has been rated at 10 percent since December 30, 2009. The current rating is appropriate given the limitation of motion to shoulder level.

The Veteran's PTSD was initially rated at 50% and later increased to 70%. The initial rating for his left hip disability was noncompensable, but has since been increased to 10%.,Both conditions have seen changes in ratings over time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right thumb, residuals of left fifth finger injury, rhinitis (claimed as hay fever), and a skin disorder have been denied. The evidence does not establish new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to questions regarding the exact nature and etiology of the Veteran's left hip pathology. The RO/AMC is instructed to obtain records from Drs. Russell L. Platt and James Goske, as well as any pertinent VA or private inpatient/outpatient treatment records since November 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's right hip bursitis and degenerative arthritis were found to be incurred in service. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, foot numbness, forearm burn, elbow laceration, sleep disorder, PTSD, hand numbness, pes planus, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, headaches, urological disability, gastrointestinal disability, respiratory disability, immune deficiency disability, and back injury were all denied. The Veteran withdrew his appeals for these claims prior to the Board's issuance of a final decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension pre-existed service and was not aggravated by service. The claims for osteoarthritis of the left hip, right hip, left hand, and right hand are denied as there is no clear and unmistakable evidence showing aggravation during service.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at private facilities were denied as the treatment was not related to a service-connected disability and did not meet the criteria for emergency treatment.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the assignment of a TDIU was denied as it is not factually ascertainable that he was unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment within the year preceding May 21, 2010.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The claim for service connection of a neurological disorder secondary to his lumbar spine disorder remains pending.