Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss, bilateral axillary abscesses, or degenerative arthritis in either knee. The veteran also did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his cervical spine or lumbar spine conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinnitus is related to service exposure, and his residuals of a fractured left elbow are considered direct service connection. The claim for osteoarthritis of the arms, neck, and back was also granted as it meets the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board has determined that an earlier effective date of October 4, 2003 for the grant of service connection for polyarthritis of major joints is granted.

The veteran's initial evaluations for cervical and lumbar spine disabilities were granted, with effective dates of March 17, 2003.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service and denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left foot and a left ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case for a Travel Board hearing at the RO.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of any back or hip disability found.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or secondary service connection. The current rating of 30% for residuals of total left knee arthroplasty was maintained.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the knees and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, as well as an increased rating for residuals of a fracture of the sternum. The veteran's disabilities are not considered to be related to his military service.

The veteran's initial claims for higher ratings for his right knee disabilities were denied. The RO assigned a 20 percent rating from April 1, 2000 to March 11, 2003 and a 30 percent rating effective May 1, 2004.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, a respiratory disorder, a skin disorder, muscle pain, and joint aches. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board finds that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right ankle is due to an injury sustained during service, and grants service connection for this condition. The gastrointestinal disorder is found to be less likely related to service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence linking the current left and right ankle conditions to service, including as secondary to a service-connected condition. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for effective dates prior to May 28, 1998 for service connection of ulcerative colitis/proctitis and spondyloarthropathy with inflammatory polyarthritis.

The Board found that the veteran's current left wrist problems are not service-connected, as his pre-existing condition worsened after service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his service-connected history of rheumatic fever and service connection for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gouty arthritis. The RO found that there is no current clinical evidence or opinion indicating any current arthritis due to his military service or service-connected history of rheumatic fever.

The veteran was not rated totally disabled for a period of eight years prior to his death, thus denying entitlement to enhanced DIC under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1311(a)(2).

The veteran's death was not caused by any service-connected disability, and the appellant did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle condition does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, and his claim for service connection for a right knee disorder is denied.

The veteran's death was not due to his own willful misconduct, and he had a service-connected disability rated as totally disabling for less than the required duration. Therefore, DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318 are denied.