Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2005

The veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was evaluated as 20 percent disabling since August 2, 1996.

The veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of this rating. The veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as his service-connected disability did not render him unemployable.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left distal fibula fracture with degenerative arthritis, finding that his disability did not meet criteria warranting a higher evaluation.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's chondromalacia of the left knee, status-post repair of torn medial meniscus.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions, including whether they are related to military service or to a service-connected condition.

The veteran's claim for an automotive allowance is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of his service-connected left hip disability.

The Board has determined that the RO did not properly evaluate the appellant's disabilities and remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for hypertension and service connection for osteoarthritis of the legs, as well as his claim for service connection for Guillain-Barre syndrome. The decision also noted that the veteran did not have arthritis in his lower extremities during service or within one year post-service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability warrants a 40 percent rating, effective December 17, 2002.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to additional development being required.

The Board denied an increased rating for dorsal spine osteoarthritis and residuals of poliomyelitis, finding that the veteran's disability did not meet criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic osteoarthritis, finding no medical evidence of arthritis during or within one year of service and ruling out a current diagnosis of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. The veteran's active service records do not show any injury or illness that could have led to the development of this condition.

The veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable rating for his hearing loss, back injury, left knee disability, and right knee disability are being remanded for additional development.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for frostbite residuals of the right hand, nose, forehead and left ear was denied. The RO found that the current evaluations adequately reflected the severity of his disability.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations for pes planus of both feet and service connection for a low back disorder and bilateral knee disability have been denied.,Service connection was not established for the low back disorder or bilateral knee disability as secondary to his service-connected pes planus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including low back pain and bilateral knee disability, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current back and shoulder disabilities did not begin during service or within one year of his discharge from service, and are therefore not considered to be related to active service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for carpal degenerative arthritis, scaphocapitosemilunar, right (major) wrist.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have degenerative arthritis of the fingers, shoulders, wrists, legs, ankles, feet, low back, or neck that is attributable to his military service.