Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2003

The veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and need for clarification on facility names.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right and left knees, as well as a dysthymic disorder (depression). The veteran's current ratings will be addressed in the REMAND section.

The Board found that the veteran's current cervical spine disorders are not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is about his right knee disability, specifically a meniscal tear and osteoarthritis. The RO has granted service connection for these conditions but assigned a 10 percent rating. He now appeals this decision seeking an increased rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected osteochondritis and degenerative arthritis of the right knee, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for both conditions.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining clarification from the veteran's private physician regarding the etiology and duration of his multiple joint arthritis.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability, finding that his current degenerative arthritis is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to invalidated provisions of the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Board denied service connection for a back injury, finding no credible evidence linking the current disability to service.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 60 percent for his service-connected lumbar spine disability has been denied. The case is being remanded to consider the revised criteria for the evaluation of intervertebral disc disease under Diagnostic Code 5293 and provide a supplemental statement of the case.

The veteran's PTSD has been rated at the maximum allowable rating of 70 percent, effective from January 20, 1998. His right knee disability is also rated at the maximum allowable rating of 70 percent for instability and limitation of motion.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for cause of death, DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318(b)(1), and dependents' educational assistance due to lack of evidence showing that the veteran's service-connected left knee disorder caused or contributed substantially and materially to his death from lung cancer.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypothyroidism, hemorrhoids, a chronic acquired disorder of either knee or shoulder and ankles, back, and gastrointestinal system. The decision stated that these conditions were not shown to be related to service, including alleged chemical and/or herbicide exposure.

The Board denied increased evaluations for chronic right ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis and advanced osteoarthritis of the right great toe, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of the veteran's disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for defective hearing in the right ear, arthritis of the knees, arthritis of the neck (cervical spine), residuals of left shoulder injury with degenerative arthritis of the glenohumeral joint, and nummular eczema.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability, which is currently rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5257, has been denied because the evidence does not show moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability.

The veteran's bilateral pes planus is currently rated at 30 percent, and the RO has granted an increased rating for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's osteoarthritis of the hips was incurred during his period of active service.