Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2000

The Board denied service connection for residuals of frostbite and degenerative arthritis of the knees, low back, shoulders, hands, and elbows due to a lack of competent medical evidence showing current disabilities.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for sinusitis, COPD, osteoarthritis of the shoulders, and osteoarthritis of the left knee as there is no competent medical evidence showing a link between these conditions and any period of active service.

The Board has granted an initial grant of 30 percent rating for right knee instability, effective June 1996.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral ear disorder, to include bilateral hearing loss is well grounded. However, further examination and development are needed before the merits of this claim can be evaluated.

The veteran's left knee disability, characterized by instability and degenerative arthritis, warrants a 40 percent rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral defective hearing is service-connected, and he is assigned a 10% evaluation. The claims for varicose veins and osteoarthritis of the neck, back, and knees are not well-grounded.

The veteran's initial rating for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine was denied. However, his shell fragment wound, right buttock, which had previously been rated noncompensable, is now rated as compensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability secondary to his left knee disability and for an increased evaluation of his left knee disability. The claim for TDIU was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of the feet does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as there is no limitation of motion or other functional loss. The appeal was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation and service connection, finding that his cervical spine disorder is already at its maximum allowable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and arteriosclerotic peripheral vascular disease of the left lower extremity as secondary to service-connected residuals of a flak wound of the right knee. The claim for service connection for a right hip disorder is well grounded but requires further development.

The veteran's polyarthritis/polyarthralgias was rated at 20% prior to February 9, 1999 and upgraded to 40% effective February 9, 1999.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the back, hypertension and aorta stenosis, lung disorder, and gout are not well grounded. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active military service.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected right ankle sprain residuals, including degenerative arthritis, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of functional limitations.

The veteran's service-connected amputated left leg disability is considered to have caused his lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome. His cervical spondylosis and pes planus with plantar fasciitis are rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's right knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of ankylosis, subluxation, or other disabling conditions warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's L3 fracture residuals, which include degenerative disc disease and arthritis, warrant a 50 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and back conditions are not well-grounded as there is no evidence showing a nexus between his current disabilities and his military service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and pes planus, finding that new evidence supports these claims. However, the claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the spine remains denied as there is no competent evidence relating this condition to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder, to include degenerative arthritis. The denial is based on insufficient evidence regarding the veteran's periods of active duty and treatment records.