Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2005

The veteran's cervical strain, mild central spinal stenosis with small central protrusion at C3-4 and disc bulge at C4-5 and C5-6 is currently rated as 30 percent disabling. The veteran's GERD and IBS are each rated as 10 percent disabling. His degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine does not warrant a higher rating, and his bilateral hearing loss is not compensable.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have not been reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied increased disability evaluations for posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his left shoulder disability was granted, and the effective date is set from April 2001 to June 12, 2003.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical and thoracic spine was granted an initial rating of 20 percent from August 9, 1996, to August 25, 2003. From that time forward, he is rated at 20 percent for his cervical spine disability and 10 percent for his thoracic spine disability.

The veteran's pre-existing bilateral foot disorder was aggravated by service, and his current chronic disabilities involving both knees, hips, and ankles are considered to be a result of this aggravation.

The Board granted a 60 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability effective from October 15, 1997. The attorney is not entitled to payment of past-due benefits as the effective date of the increased rating only went back to October 15, 1997.

The Board denied service connection for chronic low back and left hip disorders, finding that current diagnoses are not related to the veteran's active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the veteran's failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The claims of service connection and increased rating for left knee disability, as well as a compensable rating for Dupuytren's cyst, are pending.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to a 40 percent evaluation for spondylolisthesis L5, S1 with osteoarthritis of lumbar spine since February 24, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for vocational rehabilitation training due to his current employment and lack of an employment handicap despite having service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of an abnormal bone growth and osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, both secondary to exposure to ionizing radiation. The evidence submitted did not provide new and material information.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for osteoarthritis of multiple joints and an increased rating for his service-connected polyarthritis of the knees, hands and ankles. The evidence did not support a finding that the veteran's current arthritis was related to his service or service-connected condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bursitis of his right and left knees, finding that the evidence did not support ratings higher than the current 20 percent assigned.

The veteran's osteoarthritis of the cervical spine from C4 to C7 is found to be related to his military service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing service records and a request for alternative records search.

The Board has determined that the veteran's thyroid disorder and osteoarthritis are not related to her service-connected anemia and/or cardiac arrhythmia, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot disability and low back disability, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service. The Board also found that any current conditions were not related to service.

The Board has granted the veteran's application to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for right hip osteoarthritis and has also granted service connection for right hip osteoarthritis and right total hip replacement residuals, finding that these conditions are related to his service-connected left interior thigh gunshot wound residuals.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The appeals are all based on reopening of previously denied claims, and the issues involve new evidence.