Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2005

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's postoperative residuals of a right knee injury, currently rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's claim for financial assistance for the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment was denied as he does not meet the threshold requirement for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis and granted an increased rating for lumbar syndrome. The veteran's claim of service connection for osteoarthritis is denied.

The Board has granted a rating of 40 percent for the veteran's low back syndrome with left sacroiliac joint pain and degenerative disc disease, effective from the date of the decision. The ratings for right lower extremity radiculopathy (10%), left lower extremity radiculopathy (10%), and osteoarthritis of the right knee remain unchanged at 10 percent each.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic sprain, right ankle with degenerative arthritis warrants a 30 percent rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for low back and right knee disorders, finding that current conditions are not related to any injury or disease in service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative disc disease with degenerative osteoarthritis at L4-5 (claimed as lumbar strain) was denied because there is no medical evidence of a link between his current disability and military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD has been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. His right shoulder disability, which includes post-operative residuals and recurrent dislocation, remains denied as his condition does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine osteoarthritis with a bulging disc. The case will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to January 22, 1999 for a 20% disability evaluation for his post-operative recurrent right (major) shoulder dislocation residuals and degenerative arthritis. The appeal was based on the theory of direct service connection.

The Board finds that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the hips was aggravated by his active duty for training, and grants service connection for this condition. However, the labral tears in the hips are not shown to have been due to injury or disease incurred during service.

The veteran's right knee disability, characterized as residuals of a right knee injury with meniscectomy and ligament laxity, has been rated at 20% since July 1, 1999. The rating was increased to 30% effective February 8, 2005 for degenerative arthritis.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation which is sedentary in nature. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The veteran's appeal was denied for increased rating and service connection. The RO confirmed the current 40% rating for his right knee disorder, but denied service connection for cervical strain and multiple other conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was previously denied and not reopened. The Board found that his current back condition did not manifest during or within one year after service, and is not related to his service. His skin disorder claim remains pending as VA records are still being sought.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU were denied. The left shoulder arthritis is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating, while the left elbow osteoarthritis warrants a noncompensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's neck disorder, back disorder, and right leg disorder are all service-connected. The VA examinations have provided diagnoses for these conditions, with some uncertainty regarding their exact etiology.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for minimal bicompartmental osteoarthritis and medial meniscus degeneration of the left knee, but denied an increased rating for the veteran's overall left knee disability due to lack of evidence showing limitation of motion to 60 degrees or extension to 5 degrees.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent for the veteran's residuals of a right ankle sprain, postoperative residuals of a right knee injury, and right knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of the right knee are at least as likely as not aggravated by his service-connected left knee disorder. The claim for a right shoulder disorder is denied.