Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the subtalar joint of the right foot does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of both hands, including residuals of a right hand injury incurred in service, is at least as likely as not related to military service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date prior to July 27, 2001 for service connection of his right shoulder disability was denied by the Board. The RO granted service connection based on a reopened claim but used a different effective date than requested.

The VA determined that the veteran's current osteoarthritis of the left knee is not related to his military service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee is secondary to his service-connected left knee disability and grants this claim. The bilateral ankle disability issue remains pending as it requires further examination.

The Board found no evidence to support a service connection for degenerative arthritis, left knee, and denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension, heart disease, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disability (arthritis), left knee disability, residuals of a left hand injury with tremors, and degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The claims for increased ratings are also denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for peptic ulcer disease, osteoarthritis, and peripheral neuropathy as there is no medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under either the old or amended schedule for rating spine disabilities.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected lumbar and cervical spine disorders, as well as her shoulder conditions, were denied. The RO found that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of these disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's osteoarthritis of the cervical spine and shoulders is not related to his service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the back, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's preexisting right knee disorder did not worsen during service and is not shown to be etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the hands, knees, and right hip. The claim for gouty arthritis is denied. Service connection for headaches is also granted.

The RO denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and right shoulder, maintaining the current 20 percent disability ratings.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis in the left knee effective August 12, 2005. The veteran's other increased rating claims remain pending.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current right hip disorder, including degenerative arthritis and avascular necrosis, to service. The claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including an examination and opinion regarding the relationship between the veteran's right hip condition and his service-connected right knee disability. The issues of service connection for a right hip condition (secondary to right knee disability) and left hip condition are also pending.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for osteoarthritic changes of the right knee, and denied service connection for a left knee disability. The veteran's ulcer disorder is rated as 10 percent from November 16, 2001 to September 3, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and cervical spine/neck disability, as the submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, left ankle, lumbar spine, and cervical spine.