Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2004

The Board denied the appellant's request to reopen his previously-denied claim of service connection for a back disorder, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has reopened the claims for low back and left knee disorders, but denied reopening of the right knee disorder. The claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis is also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right tibia and fibula fracture residuals, finding that the disability is primarily manifested by pain, swelling, and limited motion of the ankle. The current evaluation of 20% is considered appropriate given the moderate impairment.

The VA has determined that the veteran's post-operative residuals of a right shoulder injury do not warrant a disability rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine effective May 8, 1998.

The Board denied service connection for ulcer disease, depression, and osteoarthritis as secondary to the service-connected right total knee replacement. The veteran's claims were not supported by competent evidence of a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and emphysema, finding that these conditions are related to the veteran's military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of heart bypass surgery, hypertension, and PTSD due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.,The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, hemorrhoids, and skin rash were also denied as a result of his failure to appear for the examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for inguinal hernia, back disorder, and left leg disorder as there was no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's hepatitis C is service-connected, PTSD warrants a 10% evaluation, and the right hand injury with deformity and loss of motion of the index finger, degenerative arthritis of the thumb, carpometacarpal joint, and long finger strain is rated at 40%. The veteran's TDIU claim is held in abeyance.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine the etiology of the veteran's hip disorders and whether they are related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected traumatic degenerative arthritis of the right knee warrants a 10 percent rating, effective August 23, 2001. A separate 10 percent rating for slight lateral instability is also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine disorder, voiding dysfunction, gouty and degenerative arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, right foot disorder, and a low back disorder. The decision also affirmed the denial of service connection for PTSD.

The Board found that the veteran's current back disorder did not begin during service and was not caused by any incident of service, including exposure to extreme cold temperatures. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee and ankle injuries were not a result of VA treatment, as the injury occurred during a voluntary recreational activity at the VA Medical Center. The decision denied compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to the RO for additional development and consideration.

The veteran is entitled to an earlier effective date for the grant of TDIU for compensation purposes, effective on August 3, 1995.

The Board found that there is no evidence of shrapnel wounds to the legs in service, and no competent evidence of a nexus between any current arthritis of the legs and the veteran's period of active service. The claim for low back pain with spinal stenosis at L3-5, degenerative disc changes, and facet joint osteoarthritis was also denied as there is no evidence of a chronic low back disorder in service or within one year after service. Service connection for C6 fracture with quadriplegia as secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease and arteriosclerosis, status post coronary artery bypass graft, was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of the right knee, both hands, wrists, and cervical and lumbar spine is not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's left shoulder disorder, currently rated at 30 percent.