Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2006

The veteran's bilateral pes planus was preexisting and not aggravated by service. His osteoarthritis of the hands, shoulders, hips, knees, and lumbar spine is not related to service or his flat feet. Hearing loss and tinnitus were also not found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right knee disability warrants a combined rating of 50 percent, effective June 25, 2002. The left knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 30 percent and does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for VA benefits due to a lack of qualifying service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, shoulder/arm disorder, forearm scars (shrapnel wounds), and degenerative arthritis of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine were all denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left hip is related to a broken left femur in service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 30 percent for the veteran's hypertensive heart disease, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for residuals of fracture of left tibia with benign bone cyst, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral knee disability is not service-connected and denied her claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability warrants a 10 percent evaluation, effective January 1, 2004. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right knee disability, and a back disability. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative arthritis affecting joints other than the left wrist and right knee.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's severe arthritis of the left knee prior to November 25, 2003.

The veteran is seeking increased disability ratings for her service-connected bilateral knee conditions, which are currently rated at 30 percent each. The case is being remanded to the RO for proper VCAA notice and further development.

The Board denied service connection for foot fungus and osteoarthritis of the knees, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or spinal meningitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right knee disability, including early degenerative osteoarthritis and possible torn ACL, is at least as likely as not caused by or related to his in-service injury. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, left ankle disorder, and left knee disorder. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left leg disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, osteoarthritis of multiple joints, and bilateral wrist disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions began during his period of honorable military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a lumbar contusion and post-concussion syndrome with post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The veteran's current conditions are rated at 50 percent.

The Board found no evidence linking the appellant's current left shoulder degenerative arthritis to his service, and denied his claim for service connection.