Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2006

The Board denied service connection for all six secondary conditions (right hip disorder, headaches, ulcers, hypertension, cardiovascular disorder, and bilateral knee disorder) to the veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability related to infectious mononucleosis and therefore denied her claim for service connection. The remaining issues of increased evaluations for TMJ, right knee, left knee, and tendonitis of the right wrist are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders. However, the claims are still denied as there is no clear evidence of service origin or aggravation.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to issues related to his service-connected knee disabilities and TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left ankle disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis and a history of necrosis, is related to service. Therefore, service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury is granted.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the osteoarthritis of the left wrist and hips was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor may such a disability be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, with disc disease and degenerative arthritis. The RO had previously granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent initial rating in April 1998, which was increased to 20 percent in October 1998, and finally to 40 percent in December 1998. The Board found that the veteran's disability did not warrant an evaluation higher than 40 percent under the applicable criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a head injury and headaches, as well as his bilateral osteoarthritis of the knees, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a radiologic examination of the veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the bilateral hands and wrists.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for VA compensation was denied as he did not timely elect to receive VA benefits after being notified of his entitlement.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right great toe and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The VA denied increased ratings for the veteran's left knee disorders, finding that his conditions did not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent for ACL reconstruction and 10 percent for osteoarthritis.

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

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

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to evaluate the veteran's service-connected spinal disorder. The claim will be reviewed de novo after these actions.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied as the medical evidence did not show that his dorsal or cervical spine disorders are related to his service-connected low back disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and the acquisition of recent medical records. The issues on appeal are service connection for a sciatic nerve disability and an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis.

The VA denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, concluding that there is no medical evidence linking the condition to service.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected right knee disorder, manifested by painful limitation of motion and severe degenerative arthritis, warranted a rating of 30 percent disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a dysthymic disorder and right hand osteoarthritis, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities related to military service.