Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2006

The veteran's right ankle and left shoulder disabilities have been rated based on their current symptoms, with no higher evaluations warranted due to the lack of more severe limitation of motion or other criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the appellant's right knee muscle disorder and osteoarthritis were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may they be presumed to have been so incurred. The appeal was withdrawn for the issues of entitlement to service connection for a blood clotting disorder and a skin rash condition.

The veteran's left femur osteomyelitis residuals and right leg venous insufficiency are rated at the maximum allowable under VA rating criteria, with no further increase in ratings granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VCAA notice and consideration of new evidence.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left hand and wrist with osteoarthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome was denied. The RO had previously granted separate ratings for these conditions, but did not combine them into one rating as requested by the veteran. As such, the issue remains in appellate status.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and readjudication of the claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no evidence of a chronic cervical spine disorder or other disabilities related to his active duty service.

The veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine is currently rated at 10 percent, reflecting moderate limitation of motion.

The Board finds that the veteran's current left and right foot disabilities, as well as his left shoulder impingement syndrome, are related to service. However, there is no evidence of a current left ankle disability.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing the veteran with a VA examination to assess his service-connected granuloma, right lung, as well as any current knee, hand, and back disabilities.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of a right knee disability was denied as no prior document could be construed as an informal claim before July 17, 2000.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and granted it. The Board also found that the veteran's depression is secondary to his service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability is not related to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and his right knee arthritis does not warrant an increased evaluation. The veteran's service-connected disorders do not render him unemployable.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disorder as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability and an increased rating for his cervical spine disability. The evidence did not support a causal relationship between the service-connected disabilities and the veteran's bilateral hip disorders.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for service connection for any of his claimed conditions, as there was no evidence of a current disability or a link to active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant increased ratings, as they do not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board granted the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and degenerative arthritis of both knees, as well as reopening his claim for service connection for a bilateral wrist condition. The veteran was also granted TDIU.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current left knee arthritis to his service or any service-connected conditions, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's lumbar degenerative disc disease and left hip, right hip, and right leg radiculopathy disorders. The claims were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.