Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities were granted a disability rating of 10 percent, effective as of the date of claim for increase. The appeal was not about service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of SSA records. The Veteran's low back disorder is being evaluated to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to newly received medical records and is requesting further development before a decision can be made.

The Board has determined that further development of the Veteran's claim is needed, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA orthopedic examination to determine if his left knee disability is related to service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's headaches, cervical spine disability involving a herniated disc at C-6, and right shoulder disorder were incurred in service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, residuals of a left knee injury, and residuals of a left ankle injury due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the left knee, status post surgery with degenerative arthritis, has been rated at 10 percent since June 2005. The current symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the loss of use of both feet, entitling him to special monthly compensation at the maximum rate.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision did not address the issue of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to pending issues regarding earlier effective dates for service connection and increased initial ratings. The case will be returned to the Board after these issues are addressed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right eye disability, hepatitis, left hip disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral leg disability, and right foot and ankle disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his appeal on the issue of increased rating for right knee degenerative arthritis was dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative.