Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2002

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine does not warrant an increased disability rating beyond the current 20 percent assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his right ankle disability, currently rated at 20 percent. The evidence did not support a higher rating based on marked ankle disability or limitation of motion.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, nor did any such condition contribute to his death. The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is moot as it has already been established. The issue of an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability remains unresolved.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back disability, including arthritis, did not occur during service and is not related to his service-connected residuals of a fracture of the left tibia and fibula and/or residuals of a left total knee arthroplasty. The claim for direct service connection was denied.

The VA denied a separate, compensable rating for the veteran's service-connected left knee popliteal cyst due to the disability already being considered in the ratings for degenerative arthritis and other conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of both knees warrants a 10 percent evaluation, as there is no evidence to support higher evaluations based on limitation of motion or other diagnostic codes. The initial evaluations have been granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of multiple fingers of the right hand with injury to the fifth finger warrants a 10 percent evaluation, but not higher.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected left knee osteoarthritis and postoperative residuals of a left knee anterior cruciate ligament injury, finding that they did not warrant an increased rating based on their current manifestations.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus and left ankle sprain were not aggravated in service, while his degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy, mild renal insufficiency, and edema of the lower extremities, and chronic prostatitis are all denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the hips and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for Sjögren's syndrome.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease, left elbow and right elbow.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine degeneration, osteoarthritis, and disc disease due to a lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted increased ratings for back strain and cervical spine arthritis, as well as service connection for these conditions. The appellant's claims for pes planus and plantar warts were reopened and granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including total right hip replacement with history of arthritic changes and trauma, arthritis changes of the left hip with limitation of abduction due to trauma, residuals of fracture and dislocation of right hand, and residuals of fracture of the left wrist with degenerative changes, prevent him from obtaining or maintaining any gainful employment consistent with his education and previous work experience.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting spondylolisthesis existed prior to service and was not aggravated by service. The current low back disability, other than spondylolisthesis, cannot be attributed to his period of service.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities has been denied. His post-operative residuals of an ACL repair are currently rated at 40 percent, and his osteoarthritis is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's residuals of total right knee arthroplasty with history of arthroscopy and degenerative arthritis, effective from March 1, 2000. The 10 percent rating for the service-connected shell fragment wound involving Muscle Group XV on the right side remains unchanged.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder due to new and material evidence submitted since the February 1969 rating decision. The Board also found that there is sufficient evidence to warrant service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for bilateral hearing loss and found that no new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for cervical spine arthritis with cervical disc herniation and lumbar degenerative arthritis.