Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2008

The Board finds that there is an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence as to whether the veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome with osteoarthritis is related to service. Resolving doubt in the veteran's favor, service connection for left shoulder impingement syndrome with severe osteoarthritis is granted.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, currently diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that it was aggravated during active duty and training.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is not shown to be more disabling than currently rated at 20 percent.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to decide these benefits.

The appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed disability manifested by hand tremors.

The veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was rated as 10 percent disabling, while his degenerative arthritis with medial epicondylitis of the right elbow did not meet criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and consideration of the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence does not support a connection between the veteran's post-operative residuals of cervical degenerative arthritis and his active service or any service-connected disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for restoration of a 30 percent rating and an increased evaluation for his left shoulder disability, as well as an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and adjudication of the veteran's claims.

The veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The case is remanded to the RO for scheduling of a hearing due to the veteran's request.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, prostate disorder, osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, lower back, shoulders and knees, hypertension, heart disorder, and hearing loss to schedule a VA audiological examination.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The case was remanded for further development and readjudication of the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and osteoarthritis of the midfoot.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a sternum injury due to lack of evidence supporting an in-service injury and current disability.

The case is remanded to the RO for further development and adjudication of the issue of entitlement to an earlier effective date for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him permanently bedridden, and he is not confined to his home by the service-connected disabilities. Therefore, special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is denied.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence and medical opinions regarding the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and cervical osteoarthritis.

The Board denied the application to reopen a claim of service connection for a pulmonary disability and also denied claims for service connection for memory loss, depression, a prostate disability, a heart disability, and osteoarthritis.