Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2007

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for her left knee, low back, bilateral feet, and respiratory disabilities. The Board found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by her active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of nonunion, ankylosis, or significant loss of motion in any of the conditions at issue.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability is not related to his military service and has denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee and denied service connection for a right knee disorder and bilateral foot pain.

The veteran's right and left knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling due to limitation of motion, with no evidence of recurrent instability or subluxation. The RO has granted increased ratings for both knees.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left shoulder disability, symptomatic flat feet, and degenerative arthritis in his feet. The evidence did not show that the disabilities warranted higher evaluations under the applicable rating criteria.,The current ratings of 20%, 10%, and 10% for the respective conditions are maintained.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected back disability and perforated left tympanic membrane. The back disability is currently rated at 10 percent, which was upheld.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis, heart disease and hypertension, and multiple joint disabilities including a bilateral knee disability, rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints, osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, and a right ankle disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated during service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing proper VCAA notice.

The veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus disability is associated with degenerative arthritis of the hips, knees, ankles, and lumbosacral spine. However, the examiner determined that the bilateral pes planus did not cause the arthritis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the relationship between the veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and his active duty service or a service-connected condition, including right knee traumatic arthritis.

The veteran's right great toe osteoarthritis is rated at 20 percent, but no more. The left great toe osteoarthritis remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied service connection for irritable bowel syndrome and granted a 10% rating for right knee osteoarthritis with loss of cartilage, effective March 3, 2004.

The veteran is unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to the severity of his service-connected disabilities, and as such, he meets the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board denied increased ratings for right knee osteoarthritis and instability, finding that the current ratings of 40% and 30%, respectively, are appropriate based on the clinical findings.

The VA determined that the appellant's lumbar spine disability, evaluated at 20 percent, does not warrant an increased evaluation due to lack of evidence showing severe lumbosacral strain or severe limitation of motion.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the minimum schedular criteria and are not shown to prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome.

The veteran's initial compensable rating for degenerative arthritis of the left great toe was denied by the Board.