Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, bilateral calluses on the soles of the feet with pes planus, and initial compensable evaluation for bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the left and right elbows, but granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's elbow conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his disabilities.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the appellant's need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's right knee disability, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed degenerative arthritis in his low back was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected thoracolumbar scoliosis with lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent from March 25, 2001 to August 28, 2006 and did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 40 percent from August 29, 2006.

The veteran's dementia, caused by a brain injury sustained in service, contributed to his death. The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for rheumatoid arthritis, an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee gonarthrosis based on limited/painful flexion and extension, or an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hand osteoarthritis.,The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for left knee gonarthrosis based on limited/painful flexion and extension, or an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right scaphoid, trapezium, and trapezoid arthritis.,The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for left scaphoid, trapezium, and trapezoid arthritis or an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral shoulder acromioclavicular arthritis.,The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation for right foot hallux valgus, or an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left foot hallux valgus.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current thoracic spine disabilities, including osteoporosis, lumbago, and osteoarthritis, were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to failure in providing effective VCAA notice.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings have been denied.,Service connection for right hip osteoarthritis has also been denied.

The veteran's total right knee replacement was determined to be related to his service-connected right knee Osgood Schlatter's disease with degenerative arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left knee medial meniscus tear, which is secondary to his service-connected left tibia/fibula fracture. However, secondary service connection was not established for his right knee disorder and degenerative arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spines.

The VA determined that the veteran's left ankle degenerative arthritis does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board found that the appellant's back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim.

The VA has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, including symptoms related to a previous meniscectomy and degenerative arthritis, warrants a 10 percent rating. The current range of motion is limited with pain but not additional limitation due to repetitive motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's osteoarthritis was not incurred or aggravated in service and is not related to his service-connected sarcoidosis. Therefore, the claim for service connection for osteoarthritis has been denied.

The veteran's initial compensable rating for left quadriceps muscle injury, post-operative residual of a left anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with medial meniscus tear, was granted. Separate ratings were assigned for degenerative osteoarthritis and instability of the left knee, both at 10 percent.