Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's submission of a VA Form 9 to the Board in September 1999 constituted a timely substantive appeal as to his claim for a compensable evaluation for service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. The issues regarding cervical spine, thoracotomy with excision of tuberculoma right lung, and tender scar are still pending.

The veteran's claims for service connection for head injury with headaches, blepharoconjunctivitis, prostatitis and epididymitis, and left ear otitis media were denied. The claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine was granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic acquired mood or anxiety disorder, osteoarthritis of the hips, and bilateral leg disorder (claimed as cramps), all due to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking them to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 40 percent for his right ankle disability and for reopening his claim of service connection for osteoarthritis of both ankles. The RO has determined that the current 40 percent rating adequately compensates the veteran's disability.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hearing loss of the left ear and a low back disability, finding that there was no current evidence of these conditions meeting VA compensation criteria. The claim for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound was also denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, considering the impairment from the disorders and his educational and occupational background.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD, finding that the veteran meets the criteria for this condition due to his wartime experience in Vietnam. The issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis with cystic lesions, claimed as due to herbicide agents used in Vietnam, is also granted.

The Board determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease did not warrant a rating greater than 40 percent, as his disability was found to be productive of severe disablement but not pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome. The claim for total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including a skin disorder, peripheral neuropathy involving all extremities, osteoarthritis involving all joints, residuals of multiple back surgeries for degenerative disc disease, residuals of right shoulder surgery, residuals of left ankle surgery, stroke, lipoma of the left side, and depression, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a direct connection to his military service or exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board has granted a rating of 30 percent for postoperative residuals of the right knee, effective from the date of the July 1994 rating decision. The initial rating of 20 percent for osteoarthritis of the right knee from March 1995 remains unchanged.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities of the spine, left hip, and right hip have been granted. He is rated at 100% for these conditions.

The veteran's post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the hips, knees, ankles, cervical and thoracic spine and left wrist is presumed to have been incurred in service due to his status as a former POW. The Board finds that he does not have post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the shoulders or elbows which was incurred in or aggravated during service.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disorder was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not related to his military activities, including parachute jumps. The VA examiner concluded that the veteran's back problems were due to normal wear and tear of physical activities post-service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the metatarsophalangeal (MP) joint of the great toes was incurred in active service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected left elbow disability and denied an increased rating for his right knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of frostbite or fragment wounds during service and concluding that any current arthritis is not related to service.

The Board found that there is no current medical evidence of rheumatoid arthritis and the medical evidence does not show that osteoarthritis was incurred in or aggravated by service. The veteran's current osteoarthritis is unrelated to his military service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder since September 3, 1998. The effective date remains at the original grant of service connection.