Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2005

The veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is found to be sufficiently severe to prevent him from engaging in any substantially gainful employment, including sedentary work. The Board grants a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or Osteoarthritis (other than in her temporomandibular joint) as a result of service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left ankle disability warrants a 20 percent rating, which is higher than his current 10 percent rating.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with chronic thoracolumbar strain, effective September 22, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is at least as likely as not related to an injury sustained in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection, effective dates earlier than specified dates, and initial ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected right knee disability, effective from August 1948. The claimant is also entitled to a separate compensable evaluation for his service-connected right eye corneal scar.

The Board has determined that the veteran's post-medial and lateral meniscectomy of the right knee warrants a 20 percent rating, but also finds that he should be granted a separate 10 percent rating for his osteoarthritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of both knees, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection due to a lack of medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple issues, including his psychiatric disorder, diabetes mellitus, retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, right knee disorder, left knee arthritis, lumbar spine condition, cervical spine condition, lung disease (asbestosis), and hypertension. The Board found that new evidence did not reopen his claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder but denied all other claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected chondromalacia of the left and right knees, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and further investigation.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support higher ratings for most conditions.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability and sciatica was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to July 28, 2004, or beginning July 28, 2004.

The Board has determined that the veteran is not entitled to an increased disability rating for his service-connected skin disabilities, as they do not meet the criteria under either the old or new VA rating schedules.

The Board found that the veteran's hepatitis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied his claim.

The Board found that the veteran's right and left ankle disabilities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected right total knee arthroplasty and left knee osteoarthritis are currently manifested by limited range of motion, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The veteran is also unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to further development being required, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a hearing. The claim for service connection will be reconsidered in light of new guidelines.