Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2007

The VA determined that the veteran's left shoulder dislocation with limited motion does not warrant a higher rating than 20 percent.

The veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis with rotator cuff injury, with instability is rated at 30 percent and his limitation of motion is rated at 10 percent. The veteran's right 5th finger condition remains noncompensable.,The veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant an increased rating based on the current evidence.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for limitation of extension and flexion of the right knee effective June 9, 2004.

The Board has determined that an effective date of August 14, 2003, is appropriate for the grant of a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). This decision was based on a VA social worker's note from August 14, 2003, indicating the veteran had potential eligibility for TDIU.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical evidence and provide the veteran with another VA examination. The case will be readjudicated based on both the former and revised rating criteria for evaluating diseases and disabilities of the spine.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee conditions and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, lumbar strain with muscle spasms, and left lower extremity disability due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The veteran's inflammatory polyarthritis was rated at 40 percent from September 12, 1992 to April 22, 2007 and increased to 60 percent effective April 23, 2007.,A TDIU was granted as of October 25, 2006.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee, left knee, bilateral ankle disability, and bone spurs of the feet. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current residuals of a head injury, left knee disorder, back disorder, or right arm disorder that are related to service. As such, these claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has confirmed and continued the current rating of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine with degenerative disc disease, finding that it more nearly reflects the criteria for a 10 percent rating under the applicable rating criteria.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability is manifested by complaints of pain and moderately severe limitation of movement, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Prior to February 8, 2007, the veteran's cervical spine disability more closely resembles moderate intervertebral disc disease with recurring attacks. As of February 8, 2007, it does not resemble severe intervertebral disc syndrome or severe limitation of motion and is rated at 20 percent.,The veteran's lumbar spine disability prior to February 8, 2007 more closely resembles moderate intervertebral disc disease with recurring attacks. As of February 8, 2007, it does not resemble severe lumbosacral strain or severe intervertebral disc syndrome and is rated at 40 percent.,The veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy prior to September 23, 2002 is equivalent to mild incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve. As of September 23, 2002, it is rated at 10 percent and remains so after April 28, 2003.,The veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy prior to September 23, 2002 does not reach the level of mild incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve. As of September 23, 2002, it is rated at 10 percent and remains so after April 28, 2003.,The veteran's right leg radiculopathy prior to September 23, 2002 does not reach the level of mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. As of September 23, 2002, it is rated at 10 percent and remains so after April 28, 2003.,The veteran's left leg radiculopathy prior to September 23, 2002 is equivalent to mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. As of September 23, 2002, it is rated at 10 percent and remains so after April 28, 2003.,The veteran's left leg radiculopathy from April 28, 2003 to present is equivalent to mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic nerve. It does not reach the level of moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder and granted it. The veteran's claims for chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, headaches, gastrointestinal disorders, and arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine have been addressed.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder, finding that the current condition is at least as likely as not related to service. However, it was aggravated after discharge from service.,Service connection for a low back disorder has been denied due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The veteran's application for Service Disabled Veterans Insurance (RH) was denied because he is not considered to be in 'good health' due to his non-service-connected conditions, including osteoarthritis and hypertension.

The VA determined that the veteran's current low back disability, including L5-S1 spondylolisthesis and degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The evidence did not establish a link between any incident during service and his current condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran should be afforded another VA examination to evaluate his left upper extremity and cervical spine disabilities, including any radicular impairment. The case will then be readjudicated.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection due to osteoarthritis of the right acromioclavicular joint, finding that no informal or formal claims were filed prior to April 30, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with notice of the definition of new and material evidence. The claims for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain and reopening a claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of multiple joints are also being remanded.