Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2008

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis and a prostate disorder, finding no evidence of these conditions during service or within the presumptive period, and no medical evidence linking them to service. The veteran's claim for PTSD was remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine has been rated at 20 percent, as it is manifested by an abnormal gait during flare-ups but does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the arms, neck, and back as there was no evidence that the condition was present during active military service or until many years thereafter, and it was not shown to be related to any incident of such service.

The Board remands the claims for an increased evaluation and higher initial evaluations to the RO via AMC for additional development.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle, right and left leg, and right hand conditions were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development.

The Board granted increased ratings for benign tremor of the right and left upper extremities, as well as cervical strain with osteoarthritis, but denied increased ratings for lumbar and thoracic strain with osteoarthritis and disc disease.

The veteran's residuals of a lumbar spine injury with degenerative arthritis were rated at 40 percent as of January 30, 2007, due to limited forward flexion to 30 degrees or less without evidence of ankylosis.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee conditions and scar are being remanded for further development.

The Board remands the case to the agency of original jurisdiction for issuance of a letter which contains all of the information required by 38 U.S.C. § 5103 and its implementing regulation, 38 C.F.R. § 3.159.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, found that the veteran's left thigh scars did not warrant an increased rating, and granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for injury to Muscle Group XIV.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the low back and knees, as well as increased ratings for prostatitis and epididymitis, tinea versicolor, tinea pedis, and tinea cruris, a shell fragment wound to the left shoulder and upper back, a shell fragment wound scar of the upper left arm, and a right inguinal hernia. The veteran was granted special monthly compensation based on being housebound.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and osteoarthritis of the knees to the RO for additional development.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not warrant a higher rating, and he is not entitled to TDIU.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to require regular aid and attendance or make him permanently housebound.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development of evidence, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The veteran's cervical spondylosis and lumbar spondylosis were granted increased ratings to 20 percent, while the other conditions remained at 10 percent.

The veteran's left knee osteoarthritis has been manifested by pain, particularly on activity and after sitting for prolonged periods. No significant limitation of motion or instability was found.