Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2008

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee with a history of arthrotomy due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. The Board also found that the pre-existing condition was not aggravated by active military service, as there is no medical evidence showing worsening during service.

The veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, but he is also entitled to a separate 10 percent rating for associated left sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a lumbar spine injury with degenerative arthritis were granted an increased rating to 40 percent effective August 29, 2005. The veteran's service-connected thoracic compression fracture at T-12 was continued at 0 percent.

The Board has found no medical evidence of record that would warrant a staged rating for the increased rating claim. The veteran's right knee disability was evaluated utilizing Diagnostic Code 5257, and his lumbosacral strain was evaluated under Diagnostic Code 5237 (lumbosacral strain). Both conditions were rated as non-compensably disabling.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and new evidence, requiring an examination of the veteran's left knee and lumbar spine.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, status post laminectomy was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee conditions have been denied. The current evaluations of 10%, 20%, and 20% remain unchanged.

The Board granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and assigned an effective date of January 18, 2006. The lumbar spine claim was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's right knee disorder, which is secondary to his service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis. The effective date of this grant is June 13, 2005.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disorder and bilateral knee disorders are not related to her service. The lumbar spine disorder was denied, Graves disease was denied, and the claims for reopening were not addressed.

The veteran's claims for increased rating of right knee disability and service connection for diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The veteran's left knee disability has not met the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.,A separate 20 percent evaluation was granted for lateral instability of the left knee, effective April 1, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling issue for a Travel Board hearing. The veteran's claims of service connection and reopening of his right knee condition claim are pending.

The veteran's left knee disability, post-operative ACL repair, is manifested by moderate lateral instability and osteoarthritis due to trauma. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for instability or any higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 30 percent for left knee instability and a separate rating of 20 percent for dislocated cartilage with locking and effusion in the left knee. The initial rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee remains at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claim. The Board also determined that there was no evidence linking the current disability to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current osteoarthritis of multiple joints, including shoulders, right knee, lumbar spine, and hands, is related to his active military service. The appeal for service connection is granted.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 20 percent for the veteran's limitation of motion in his right knee, effective from February 8, 2005.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging for an updated VA examination.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and his lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent under the General Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The appeal was denied as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or ankylosis warranting higher ratings.