Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and arthritis of the left knee were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient clarification of the medical evidence regarding the relationship between the veteran's 1966 back strain and his current degenerative disc disease. The RO is instructed to obtain a comprehensive medical review by an orthopedic specialist.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee, low back, and asthma disorders. The evidence did not support higher evaluations based on current symptomatology.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right knee, finding that there was no causal relationship between his service-connected left knee disorder and his cervical spine or knee disabilities.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The service-connected conditions did not warrant higher ratings, and the effective date of any rating changes was not established.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbrosacral and right knee disabilities, as well as service connection for a left knee disability. The RO had previously granted service connection and initial ratings for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the hands, finding that it is presumed to have been incurred in-service. The claim for hyperextension injury to the right thumb was denied.

The veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, and his left knee disability with arthritis and mild instability is rated at 10 percent.,The veteran's left knee disability warrants a separate 10 percent rating for osteoarthritis. However, the moderate instability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the right knee and instability of the right knee, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that schizophrenia was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The claim for an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the right elbow, right ankle, and both knees with hypermobile joint syndrome is remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, right knee, left ankle, and right ankle as secondary to her service-connected hammertoe correction. The lumbar spine disorder claim was also denied.

The Board found that the veteran's knee disabilities did not meet or approximate the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, as his range of motion was within normal limits and he did not exhibit instability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by her active service and is therefore denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active service and have denied all claims for service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic back disability in service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected right knee meniscectomy with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and clarification regarding loose bodies in the knee.

The Board has determined that the veteran's decreased grip strength of the right hand warrants a 30 percent rating, effective from May 2001.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for additional VCAA notice.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability of his left shoulder or sinusitis, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The right shoulder disorder is also denied as there is no evidence of chronic disability during service.