Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2008

The Board has granted initial disability ratings of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis and right knee osteoarthritis with torn medial meniscus, effective May 26, 2005. A separate 10 percent rating is also granted for instability of the right knee.

The veteran's initial increased ratings for chronic lower back pain and radiculopathy, left lower extremity associated with the condition were granted. The rating for chronic lower back pain was set at 40 percent effective January 18, 2008.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder and right arm disability due to new evidence showing that his current condition is related to his service-connected malignant melanoma. Service connection is granted.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture, carpal scaphoid with osteoarthritis of the right wrist.

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

The Board found that the veteran's left knee osteoarthritis, as manifested by severe osteoarthritis confirmed by x-ray, medial joint line tenderness, normal knee alignment, no instability, and 5/5 motor strength in the left lower extremity with a range of motion testing revealing extension to 0 degrees and flexion to 120 degrees without decrease on repetitive use, does not warrant an increased evaluation beyond 20 percent.

The veteran is seeking service connection for osteoarthritis, which the Board has remanded due to incomplete information regarding his National Guard service and need for additional VA examination.

The veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and his right and left foot disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in approximate balance, indicating that the veteran's herniated nucleus pulposus and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was incurred during active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher initial rating and an earlier effective date for his hypertension. The veteran was granted service connection for hypertension in May 2003, but the RO assigned a disability rating of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left knee injury with chondromalacia and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, finding that her symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current residuals of a right ankle and heel injury to include osteoarthritis, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's left knee disability was increased to a 40 percent rating effective October 6, 2004. His right hip disability was also increased to a 30 percent rating effective the same date.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee osteoarthritis was rated at 20 percent prior to December 15, 2004, and the status/post total right knee replacement is currently rated at 30 percent since February 1, 2006.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's service-connected disorders may be aggravating his hypertension.

The Board has denied service connection for ligamentous laxity of the MCP joint of the right thumb and residuals of a left knee injury. Service connection is necessary for examination for osteoarthritis of the right knee, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities were denied. The RO found that the current evaluations adequately reflected the severity of the veteran's conditions.

The veteran's cervical spine disability, which was initially granted service connection for in March 2003, is currently manifested by pain and slight limitation of motion. The Board found that the evidence did not demonstrate functional loss due to flare-ups or during use, thus denying an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied an increased rating for left knee instability, a separate compensable disability rating for left knee surgical scars, and a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis with pain on motion of the left knee. The veteran's current 20 percent evaluation for left knee instability is maintained.