Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected disability and denied an increased rating for right knee arthritis. The veteran's erectile dysfunction is not service-connected, and his right knee condition does not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis, peptic ulcer disease, and asthma due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for nonservice connected disability pension benefits was also denied as the veteran did not have qualifying active service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected post polio syndrome and any related conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis are related to an inservice low back injury, granting service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The VA determined that the veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis warranted a 10 percent rating since November 20, 2005.

The veteran's knee disabilities are rated at the lowest possible level due to mild to moderate impairment, and no higher ratings are warranted.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and residuals of a right eye injury, finding that these conditions are related to his service-connected right ankle disability. The claim for an increased rating for the right ankle fracture remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability, PTSD service connection, hypertension secondary to PTSD, and low back disability secondary to right knee disability. The left knee was rated at 10% disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his bilateral knee disabilities and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable rating schedules.

The VA denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lumbar spine osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease are causally related to his active military service, leading to a grant of service connection.

The Board granted service connection for left knee instability and assigned a 10 percent evaluation, effective from the date of the claim. The appellant's low back disorder issue is addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis are not service-connected as there is no medical evidence showing a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected disabilities, effective June 30, 2005. The effective dates sought by the veteran were not granted as they are deemed factually ascertainable.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left knee injury, finding no evidence of chronic disability during or within one year after service and no medical nexus to service.

The VA is remanding the case to conduct further examination and development due to insufficient evidence to decide the claim.

The VA determined that the veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis does not warrant a rating higher than 40 percent, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for more severe disability ratings.