Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2008

The veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the increased evaluations of degenerative disc, lumbosacral spine with scoliotic deformity and spondylolisthesis L5 on S1, right sciatica, and osteoarthritis of the cervical spine.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral knee disability (claimed as osteoarthritis of the knees), bilateral hand disability (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome), and cervical spine disability (claimed as C3-C6 spondylosis), were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right ankle and hepatitis C, with a rating of 10 percent effective as of the date of the decision.

The veteran's appeal involves his cervical spine disability, including a claim for an earlier effective date and TDIU. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the complexity of the issues.

The Board found that the residuals of a fracture of the left malleolus with osteoarthritis do not meet the criteria for a higher than 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5271.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis, vascular hypertension, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as there was no evidence of a current disability related to active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and osteoarthritis of the right knee. The veteran did not have a current diagnosis of PTSD, and his right knee disability was first demonstrated many years after service and is not shown to be related to service.

The Board denied increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees, currently evaluated at 10 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right elbow due to a need for further examination, as well as additional development of the record.

The veteran's disabilities, while disabling, do not meet the criteria for a total rating due to their combined effect. The Board finds that she is not unemployable by reason of her disabilities.

The veteran's initial evaluations for his toe and cervical spine disabilities have been granted, but the Board has determined that he is not entitled to higher ratings based on the severity of his conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of aid and attendance benefits, finding that entitlement to such benefits was first demonstrated on August 11, 2005.

The veteran's service connection claims for tinea versicolor and hypertension were granted, while the remaining conditions were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability, characterized by chronic traumatic arthritis with instability and giving way symptoms, warrants a 30 percent evaluation from May 13, 2003.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder and right knee disorder as there was no evidence of chronic disability in-service or within the applicable presumptive period, and no competent evidence linking the current conditions to active service.

The Board finds that the competent medical evidence supports a disability rating of 40 percent for the veteran's arthritis of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, finding that it was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service and is not related to any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for scoliosis, residuals of a head injury, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The veteran also did not receive an increased rating for his PTSD.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected migratory polyarthritis was remanded to obtain additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for secondary service connection for a bilateral hip disability, to include osteoarthritis, as it was not supported by competent medical evidence.