Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder was not incurred in service and is not secondary to his left knee condition. Therefore, service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected low back syndrome with multi-level osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine was granted a 40 percent rating effective May 12, 2009.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent from February 14, 2002, to August 26, 2003. A separate evaluation of 20 percent for severe meniscal degeneration and effusion in the left knee joint associated with an impaired meniscus is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral patellofemoral syndrome with osteoarthritis and cervical spondylosis are rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations. The Veteran's plantar fasciitis does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Veteran's current cervical spine disability is not shown to have been present in service or for many years thereafter, nor is it the result of any incident or incidents of his period of active military service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including verification of his duty status during the alleged in-service injuries and obtaining VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral adhesive arachnoiditis has been rated at 10 percent since July 23, 2004. The RO increased the rating to 20 percent effective February 26, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for right hand osteoarthritis and right shoulder acromioclavicular arthritis effective July 21, 1992. The Veteran's original claim of entitlement to service connection was received on April 6, 1953, but he did not specifically request service connection for these conditions at that time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage criteria for a TDIU rating, but further examination is needed to determine if he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of his hips and lumbar spine, but denied higher initial ratings. The case was remanded to reassess the severity of the disabilities at issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his left rib arthritis and its potential effects on his shoulder condition and low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, polymyositis of the lower extremities, and hypertension are all granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, and left knee arthritis as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that they are related to service.

The Veteran's waiver claim is being remanded due to the need for a statement of the case addressing this issue and notification of appellate rights.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the current left knee condition to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to incomplete service records and need to verify periods of active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum percentage requirements for TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, a VA examination is needed to determine if his service-connected conditions prevent him from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and he was denied TDIU due to his inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's current back disorder was not shown to have been clinically present during his period of military service or until many years thereafter, and it is not shown to be related to an in-service injury. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claim.

The Veteran's left hand osteoarthritis is rated at a 20 percent disability, effective from the date of award. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.