Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the current evaluations adequately reflected the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the right hip and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine with shoulder pain, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right knee osteoarthritis, which is moderate in the medial joint compartment and severe in the patellofemoral compartment, is etiologically related to service. As such, the claim for service connection for residuals of a right leg and knee injury is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee and has reopened the claim to reopen a service connection for a back disability, finding new and material evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The evidence does not support an evaluation in excess of the current 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, status post medial meniscectomy.

The Board has found no evidence of a right Achilles tendon tear or any current right ankle disorder in service, and the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hip disability is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that the hip condition was aggravated by the knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left hip disability does not meet the criteria for an automobile allowance due to other non-related conditions contributing to his lower extremities' impairment.

The Board has granted secondary service connection for inflammatory arthritis of the elbows, right wrist, and ankles due to service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the right elbow, chronic instability of the left ankle, patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability warrants a 40 percent rating, effective January 19, 2005, based on increased severity of symptoms and limitation in extension.

The veteran's case is being remanded for scheduling a hearing due to her memory difficulties.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a shrapnel wound to the right thorax was denied. His claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities was also denied, as his service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any of the conditions he is seeking service connection for, and therefore, these claims are denied.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the low back and scarring of the left lung as a result of pneumonia in service.

The Board granted an increased rating to 40 percent for the veteran's post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, effective from the date of the appealed June 2001 rating decision.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's chronic T12 and L1 vertebral compression fracture residuals, which were previously rated as 10 percent.

The veteran's low back disability, characterized by lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis, is currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.