Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2008

The veteran's claims of service connection for peptic ulcer disease, bronchial asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, peripheral neuropathy, osteoarthritis and avitaminosis are remanded due to the need for a statement of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee with resulting total knee replacement, finding that it is proximately due to or aggravated by the veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of dental trauma to the two front teeth (tooth numbers 8 and 9) was denied as his service treatment records do not document dental trauma, he did not file a timely application for treatment within one year of discharge from service, and there is no evidence that his condition was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current knee conditions are related to service, and thus grants service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and right knee osteoarthritis.

The veteran seeks service connection for a spine fracture and osteoarthritis, but the claim is being remanded due to insufficient evidence in his service record.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected right knee arthroscopy, low back strain with degenerative changes, and left ankle arthritis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, including metatarsalgia with calcaneal spurs and osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joints, was denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound status is granted as of July 1, 2006. The earlier effective date request for July 29, 2004 is denied.

The Board denied service connection for hypertensive heart disease and polyarthritis. The veteran's claims were subsequently denied by the RO, with no appeal submitted within one year of the denial.

The Board has granted the temporary total evaluations for surgeries related to service-connected residuals of fracture of the right arm. The claim for increased rating for chronic low back pain with degenerative arthritis is remanded.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.,However, the Board found no evidence of a current back disability and thus denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability secondary to his right knee disability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are not rated higher than the current 10 percent evaluations.,Service connection was granted for a peri-anal abscess, to include hemorrhoids.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for residuals of a left ankle sprain, left ankle fracture, and osteoarthritis of the left knee are not supported by new and material evidence. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding no evidence to support higher ratings based on the current clinical findings.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disability does not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as it is not shown to substantially preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for right knee, right hip, and low back disabilities. The rating for residuals of a left knee injury with osteoarthritis was continued at 10 percent, while the rating for left hip arthritis was also continued at 10 percent. Service connection for secondary right knee and right hip disabilities were denied, as well as service connection for a low back disability.

The VA has granted a 50 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, effective from December 12, 2001.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left knee disability is rated at 20 percent, effective January 27, 2003.

The VA determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's right knee disability effective from April 1, 2008.