Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2007

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar and lumbar spine, with osteoarthritis of the facets of L4-L5 and L5-S1 and a history of congenitally small spinal canal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disorder is related to his military service and has granted service connection. The veteran's lumbosacral strain, which was already service-connected, has been rated at its maximum allowable under the old rating criteria.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The carpal tunnel syndrome and scar, residual of gunshot wound, right hand and wrist, are currently rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations.

The Board found that the appellant abandoned his claim for service connection for sacroiliac arthritis in November 1945 and did not provide adequate evidence within one year of a scheduled VA examination. The claims for left lower extremity radiculitis were granted with an effective date of June 10, 2004.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis, left ankle, with tendon tearing. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted while others are not.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a coccyx disability, right hip arthritis, right knee arthritis, or degenerative joint and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine due to service. The evidence does not support any connection between these conditions and service.

The veteran's degenerative disc disease of the thoracic spine and thoracolumbar region were rated at 40 percent effective from September 26, 2003. The rating was granted as direct service connection.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to assess the current severity of the veteran's left knee disability. The claim for increased ratings will be remanded for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, compartment syndrome of the left leg, and compartment syndrome of the right leg.

The veteran's death was attributed to dementia, which the VA examiner believed was caused by his service-connected right knee and ankle conditions.,An earlier effective date for the award of service connection for a right knee disorder is not warranted as there is no evidence that the veteran submitted an application prior to August 30, 2001.

The veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with spondylolisthesis, L4-L5, was granted a rating of 20 percent effective prior to March 16, 2006, and in excess of 20 percent from that date.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's left knee disabilities, finding that his conditions warrant a rating of 10 percent each.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected post-operative residuals of a right knee injury and degenerative arthritis do not warrant ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The issue of entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the left elbow will be reconsidered.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim for an increased disability rating for chronic low back pain, lumbar strain, mild osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine can be adjudicated.

The veteran's left knee disability is not rated higher than the current 0% rating due to no other condition being present.,For his right leg, the veteran has a moderate incomplete paralysis of the external popliteal nerve (common peroneal) which warrants a 20% rating. The veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's left knee meniscectomies, but granted a separate compensable rating for his degenerative arthritis. The disability ratings are mixed as one issue was denied and another was granted.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's migratory polyarthritis, a chronic disability noted during service and currently diagnosed, was incurred in service. Service connection is granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder including any due to claimed degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions during or after service.