Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2006

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right elbow and increased ratings for his right knee disability and low back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and a rating in excess of 10 percent for chondromalacia patella of the right knee, finding no evidence of current disability or aggravation.

The Board found that the veteran's current right shoulder disabilities are not related to his service-connected fractures of the right humerus or any inservice injuries, and denied both claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and a new examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support ratings higher than those currently assigned.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for postoperative residuals of a right knee injury with instability, effective from the date of the decision. The other issues remain denied.

The Board finds that the veteran's claimed conditions, including right shoulder bursitis, degenerative arthritis of bilateral hips, and degenerative arthritis of bilateral knees, are not related to his military service. The claim for plantar fasciitis of the right foot is also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim for service connection for the cause of his death.

The veteran's service connection for residuals of a right wrist strain is granted. The RO has assigned a 30 percent disability evaluation for his degenerative disc disease/degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, which was previously rated at 20 percent. His status post malunion of fractured mandible; bilateral comminuted open fractures of the mandible left body and right angle remains noncompensable as there is no evidence of a compensable disability. The veteran's nerve paresthesia of the left side of the face has also been rated at 0 percent.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating and an earlier effective date for the 40 percent rating for his left knee disability were denied.

The Board denied a higher rating for osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that the veteran's symptoms did not warrant an increased evaluation.

The veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and the claim for accrued benefits based on a left knee injury was also denied.

The Board finds that an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is not warranted under either the former or revised criteria.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral vascular disease of both feet and ankles, but found that higher ratings are not warranted. The veteran is also service-connected for syphilis with erectile dysfunction at a noncompensable rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for ischemic heart disease, peripheral neuropathy, and post-traumatic osteoarthritis due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran is seeking service connection for osteoarthritis of multiple joints and bilateral plantar fasciitis, which he claims are secondary to his service-connected Hodgkin's disease. The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an examination and opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, finding that it is likely due to in-service parachute jumping. The issue of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee remains pending and requires a Statement of the Case.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of the right knee as secondary to his service-connected left knee disability due to a VA examination opinion that it was less likely than not that the osteoarthritis of the right knee was secondary to the veteran's service-connected left knee injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a disability rating greater than 40 percent for mechanical low back pain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease due to his failure to appear at a scheduled VA examination. The criteria for a higher rating were not met based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his thoracic strain, lumbosacral strain, and cervical strain with degenerative changes are denied as they do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable VA rating schedule.