Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2008

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The veteran's left knee osteoarthritis has been manifested by pain, particularly on activity and after sitting for prolonged periods. No significant limitation of motion or instability was found.

The veteran's applications to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the shoulders and a psychiatric disorder were denied due to a lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for earlier effective dates of service connection for various disabilities, and the claims were dismissed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent disabling for right knee osteoarthritis and meniscectomy, both for the period from August 22, 2002 to September 15, 2006 and as of November 1, 2007.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for scoliosis, osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with incontinence, DJD of the left hip, and DJD of the right hip as there was no evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Board found that the evidence submitted since the previous denial did not provide a medical nexus linking the veteran's left ankle disorder to his active service, and therefore denied reopening of the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between the veteran's current osteoarthritis of the right knee and his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee, as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating.

The veteran's service connection for PTSD was granted, and the ratings for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and residuals of a hemorrhoidectomy were increased to 10 percent and 30 percent, respectively.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and is unrelated to his service-connected left knee disorder.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on direct service connection and in-service aggravation questions.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, to include osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.