Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2004

The veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition, including osteoarthritis with medial meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament tears, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for osteoarthritis of both knees and granted it, finding that new and material evidence has been submitted. The issue of whether the veteran's current arthritis is related to his service-connected disability remains pending.

The Board found that no new and material evidence had been received to reopen the veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disorder. The Board also determined that there was insufficient evidence to establish service connection for degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis of the cervical spine.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hip and knee osteoarthritis, concluding that the veteran's current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The veteran's meralgia paresthetica affecting the right hip and thigh regions was found to have originated during service, resulting in a grant of service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disorder warrants a 30 percent rating, which is higher than the current 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for defective vision (claimed as total blindness). The claims for service connection for nervousness, sleeplessness and body weakness, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy, and osteoarthritis have all been denied.

The Board found that the appellant's right knee injury was not incurred or aggravated during military service and denied his claim.

The Board finds that the appellant's service-connected left knee disability, characterized by chronic ligament tear and degenerative arthritis, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left ankle disabilities are being remanded to allow for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the veteran for a VA orthopedic examination.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the appellant's left knee disability, which includes traumatic degenerative osteoarthritis and chondromalacia, as well as residuals from a partial medial and lateral meniscectomy with debridement. The current rating is in line with the severity of symptoms reported by the appellant.

The Board denied service connection for left leg and knee disability, including residuals of a quadriceps tendon injury and degenerative arthritis, on both direct and secondary bases. The veteran's current symptoms are attributed to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected cervical spine and lumbosacral spine disabilities do not warrant increased ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development and notification.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints to include the spine, shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, elbows, and wrists. The increased rating claim for trapezitis is also remanded for further development.

The veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection of osteoarthritis of the left knee before the Board could make a decision.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence.

The veteran's severe osteoarthritis of the right knee, degenerative with marked atrophy of the right thigh and leg associated with residuals of poliomyelitis is currently rated as 60 percent disabling.,The veteran's marked atrophy with winged scapula deformity of the left shoulder associated with residuals of poliomyelitis is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected left ankle disability, compensation benefits pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for deep vein thrombosis, and a TDIU.