Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disabilities, including pes planus and osteoarthritis of both feet, are not related to service. The pre-existing conditions were found to have clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right knee disability and for obtaining updated treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for the initial disability ratings of uterine fibroids, hypertension, residual scarring from caesarian section, and hypothyroidism have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to April 17, 2010.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for degenerative joint disease of the left great toe has been granted, with a current evaluation of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a right hand disorder and eczema, finding no current disability related to military service.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to October 1, 2009. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right knee osteoarthritis was denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 23, 2008 for a 20% rating for left knee scars was denied. The right knee disability claim was reopened based on new and material evidence received since the May 2007 decision.

The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a low back disorder, thus denying the reopening of the claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and lumbar spine disorder are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective June 1, 2007.

The Board has decided to remand this case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the first MCP joint on the left hand and nerve damage to the left hand, finding that there was no evidence showing these conditions began in or were related to active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records. The issues include a claim for an increased evaluation for left ankle disability, service connection claims for left knee injury and migraine headaches, and potential entitlement to benefits under the Veterans' Benefits Act of 1974 (PACT) due to exposure to burn pits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the loss of use of his feet, warranting eligibility for automobile and adaptive equipment.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence linking the Veteran's current osteoarthritis conditions to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected chondromalacia of the left knee was found to approximate a severe impairment, warranting a 30 percent disability rating prior to March 15, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 1, 2000.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis with lumbosacral strain does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as his range of motion and symptoms do not approximate those required for any higher rating.