Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected ligamentous laxity of the left knee and degenerative arthritis of the left knee, finding that the schedular criteria were not met.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a head injury and cervical spine disability, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service. The Board also found insufficient evidence to grant service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence linking the veteran's current disabilities to his military service, and thus denied the claims for service connection.

The Board has granted increased disability ratings of 30 percent for service-connected osteoarthritis of the right hip and left hip, each rated at 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's combined disability rating is 50%, which does not meet the minimum schedular criteria for a TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining sedentary employment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of the veteran's service-connected bilateral foot disorder. The RO should consider whether separate ratings are warranted for each component of the condition.

The VA granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and assigned a 10 percent disability rating effective from December 14, 2005.

The veteran's right hip disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling due to limitation of flexion, abduction, and extension. The knee disabilities are not separately evaluated as they do not meet the criteria for separate ratings under Diagnostic Codes 5260 (limitation of flexion) and 5261 (limitation of extension).

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for residuals of a fracture of the left femur with mild atrophy and knee disability, other than degenerative arthritis of the left knee was denied as his condition did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee disability did not have its onset during service and is not related to any in-service disease or injury. The Board also found that his left knee disability was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right wrist limitation of motion, left wrist limitation of motion, and residuals of a left elbow fracture with post-traumatic osteoarthritis. The current ratings are 10 percent each.

The Board found that the veteran's pre-existing degenerative arthritis of the left hip was aggravated by his military service, warranting service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claim for a right knee disorder due to the need for additional development of evidence, including scheduling a VA examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition as secondary to right shoulder tendonitis and also denied his request for a higher combined rating, finding that there was no evidence supporting these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as his GERD with erosive gastritis and esophagitis/Barrett's esophagus, are service-connected.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection were denied. The cervical spine strain, bilateral shoulder disabilities, and tension headaches are not rated higher than the current levels of disability. Bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were found to be unrelated to service.

The Board has restored the veteran's initial rating of 20 percent for his status post medial meniscectomy of the left knee, effective December 1, 2007. The claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the left knee is denied.

The VA determined that the veteran's lumbar spine disability, which is manifested by forward flexion to 55 and 90 degrees without any ankylosis, does not warrant a higher evaluation than the current 20 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's multiple joint arthritis is related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The claim for cold injury residuals remains pending as there is conflicting medical evidence regarding its etiology.