Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2008

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence and medical opinions regarding the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and cervical osteoarthritis.

The veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the left elbow was denied.

The Board denied the application to reopen a claim of service connection for a pulmonary disability and also denied claims for service connection for memory loss, depression, a prostate disability, a heart disability, and osteoarthritis.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and degenerative arthritis of the right knee, as these conditions were not shown to have been incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed emotion, anxiety and depression was rated at 30 percent, and the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee, an eye disability (claimed as eye sensitivity and pain), and a higher initial rating for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's annual countable income was also found to be excessive for receipt of nonservice-connected pension benefits.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA scar examination and examinations of the veteran's hips and abdominal muscles.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for pulmonary tuberculosis and heart disease, finding no evidence of a current diagnosis or that the conditions were related to service. The claim for beriberi was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for initial disability ratings greater than 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis and residuals of a right ankle sprain with chronic lateral instability were denied.

The veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was determined to be related to an injury from a mine explosion in service, while other conditions were denied service connection.

The veteran's back disability was rated at 20 percent, and service connection for a bilateral knee disability was denied.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip disorder, chronic low back pain, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine were remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic and cervical segments of the spine as there was no evidence that it had onset during service or was caused by a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded to the RO/AMC for further development, including a new VA examination.