Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2001

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder, concluding that there is no evidence to support an etiological relationship between his current condition and his military service.

The VA Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's current cervical spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and neurological impairment, is not related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations are denied as there is no evidence showing that his service-connected conditions warrant a rating higher than 20 percent for each condition.

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right knee disability does not warrant a rating in excess of the current 30 percent evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder and left thumb fracture with arthritis were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor can they be presumed to have been so incurred. The veteran is also denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection and increased evaluations for the veteran's claimed conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the spine and hips, a psychiatric disability, and residuals of a fractured skull. The decision found no clear and unmistakable error in these determinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disability prior to May 1, 1998.

The Board finds that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and thoracic spine are denied as there is no evidence to support a higher evaluation based on current symptoms.

The veteran's left knee disability, including his total knee replacement, is currently rated at 30 percent since November 1, 2000. The RO has not yet determined the appropriate evaluation for his pre-existing osteoarthritis prior to September 27, 1999.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, left hand, and hips as these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent evaluation for left leg length discrepancy due to total knee replacement, finding that the veteran's disability is more than just a continuation of his pre-existing severe osteoarthritis.

The Board has determined that the veteran sustained a right shoulder injury in service and currently has residuals of this injury, which qualifies for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with secondary service connection regulations.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it meets the criteria for such an evaluation based on severe functional impairment. The claim for increased rating for osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine is denied as there are no findings indicative of pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO requested additional medical records to support the veteran's claims.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities and denied retroactive payment of clothing allowance benefits prior to August 1, 1997.

The Board denied reopening of the veteran's claims for osteoarthritis, residuals of frostbite, and hypertension due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, characterized by osteoarthritis with limitation of motion but without subluxation or lateral instability, warrants a 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis of the lower lumbar and sacral spines does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.