Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2004

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for secondary service connection of his left knee condition and is now reviewing it. The right knee condition may be aggravating or causing the left knee condition, but this needs to be determined through further examination and medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of the ankles, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the right knee with retropatellar pain syndrome and residuals of lateral partial meniscectomy, as his symptoms did not warrant an evaluation higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected, and his lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The Board has remanded the issue of total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability is not service-connected, and his bilateral knee and low back disabilities are also denied. The claim for a compensable evaluation for residuals of a compound alveolus fracture of the mandible was withdrawn by the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is service-connected, as it began during his military service. The gastrointestinal issues are also found to be related to service due to medication use for other service-connected conditions.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left knee with total knee replacement is rated at 30 percent effective October 1, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's substantive appeals with respect to the issues of service connection for a back condition, including osteoarthritis and residuals of laminectomy; osteoarthritis of both knees; hearing loss; and tinnitus were not adequate. The appeal is now vacated due to the Court's order terminating the appeal.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings were granted, but the effective dates and specific rating assignments varied. The left great toe arthritis received a 10% rating from December 21, 1998 to November 8, 1999. The osteophytes of the right patella with pain on motion received a 10% rating as of June 9, 2003. The skin disorder (chronic urticaria) was granted a 10% rating effective January 10, 2001.

The Board denied the application to reopen a claim for VA benefits due to lack of new and material evidence.

The case is being remanded for further action due to the submission of additional medical evidence and because the veteran's substantive appeal constitutes a timely notice of disagreement with regard to the claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the left upper extremity.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral knee disorder, including degenerative arthritis and residuals of total right and left knee arthroplasties, is directly related to his service as a helicopter repairman in Vietnam.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim of service connection for his back disability, as there was no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability and assigned an initial rating of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred during his service in Vietnam, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The issue of whether the veteran's osteoarthritis of the left foot is related to service remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion or other functional loss due to pain. The current 10 percent rating adequately compensates the veteran's service-connected disability.

The Board has granted the reopening of a claim for service connection for degenerative changes and osteoarthritis of the left shoulder. The issue of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a neck injury is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing right knee injury, now manifested as degenerative arthritis, was aggravated by his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and osteoarthritis of multiple joints (including the knees) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The only post-service medical records are from many years after service.