Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2000

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral posterior subcapsular cataracts and COPD, all secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation. The VA Assistant Chief Medical Director found it unlikely that these conditions were related to the veteran's in-service exposure.

The veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disorders are rated at 30 percent and 40 percent, respectively, effective October 1, 1993.,The residuals of the left orchiectomy are currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the right hip is presumed to have been incurred as a result of his active service, including service as a prisoner of war. The Board finds that the medical evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the degenerative changes are due to aging or trauma, and grants the claim.

The Board found no evidence to support the appellant's claim for service connection for unspecified disability or disabilities as a result of cigarette smoking during active military service and/or nicotine dependence acquired during active military service. The claim was denied because there is insufficient medical evidence linking any current conditions to service.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected right knee disability, finding that the current 10% rating adequately reflects his symptoms and limitations.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis of the left knee, but denied an increased evaluation for chondromalacia of the left patella.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for post-traumatic left knee strain and has also granted a separate evaluation of 10 percent for traumatic arthritis in the left knee. Service connection is granted for osteoarthritis of the hips as secondary to service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has denied both issues on appeal, finding that the veteran's low back disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling and his left hand scar does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The VA determined that the appellant's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left acromioclavicular joint disorders do not warrant a higher evaluation based on their current manifestations.

The Board has restored the previously assigned 30 percent disability rating for the service-connected left knee injury with chronic traumatic synovitis, finding that the veteran's condition does not demonstrate sustained improvement under ordinary conditions of life.

The VA Board denied an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation for the veteran's glomerulonephritis and urethral stricture, but denied service connection for osteoarthritis as secondary to these conditions and for bradycardia as secondary to these conditions.

The veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent, and his left knee disability is also rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination to assess the current extent and severity of his right knee disability.

The Board found that there is no medical evidence linking the veteran's arthritis to his military service or to his service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds. The claims for increased evaluations were also denied as there was no medical evidence showing a compensable level of disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and traumatic arthritis of the left knee, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for service connection for multiple joint degenerative arthritis was not well-grounded and denied it. The veteran's PTSD is rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 9411.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of fractures of the left tibia and fibula was denied, as his condition did not warrant a higher rating than 30 percent. A separate 10 percent rating was assigned for osteoarthritis of the left ankle with limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are not well-grounded. The right knee disability is denied due to lack of evidence linking current symptoms to service, while the right foot and ankle disabilities do not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative arthritis of multiple joints and disorders of the cervical spine, thoracic spine, gastrointestinal system, genitourinary system, skin, and neurological systems, are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease leading to these current disabilities.