Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2000

The veteran's appeal is denied as the disability does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a medial meniscectomy of the right knee, finding that his current symptoms are more severe than previously evaluated.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for a heart disorder, residuals of injuries to the chest, arms, and legs, osteoarthritis (claimed as rheumatism), and bronchitis are not well-grounded.

The Board found that the appellant's current cervical spine disorder did not begin in or is due to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's right TKR residuals are currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, secondary to his service-connected left knee condition, finding no competent medical evidence linking the current right knee issues to his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation to 40 percent for chondromalacia of the left knee, effective June 2, 1994.

The Board has granted a 20% disability rating for the service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, effective from when this determination was made. The claim for increased evaluation for tension headaches remains denied.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the postoperative residuals of osteochondritis dissecans and osteoarthritis of the left knee, effective from February 16, 1999, through July 1, 1999.

The Board granted an increased evaluation of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected arthrotomy of the right knee with removal of lateral meniscus and severe tri-compartmental arthritis, effective February 22, 2000.

The veteran's left knee injury, including degenerative arthritis, is rated at a combined 30 percent effective from July 1, 1994.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with the residuals of a fracture of the left distal fibula rated at 20 percent, osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine rated at 10 percent, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a disorder of multiple joints manifested by pain is well-grounded. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the left and right hips, finding that they did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability is well grounded and remanded for further development. The claim of service connection for sick sinus syndrome with atrial fibrillation and flutter with permanent pacemaker remains not well grounded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a fracture of the right forearm and evaluation of his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left middle finger. The RO is instructed to obtain additional VA medical records, including those from Tripler Army Medical Center and Homestead Air Force Base, and to schedule the veteran for an orthopedic examination.

The veteran's service-connected low back disability has been assigned a maximum schedular evaluation of 60 percent. The criteria for a total rating based on individual unemployability have also been met.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for gouty arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 40 percent for the veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right knee with limitation of motion, history of osteochondritis dissecans and postoperative osteotomy with non-union.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected right wrist condition, characterized by post-traumatic osteoarthritis, does not warrant a higher rating than the current 10 percent assigned.