Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2008

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the legal criteria for recognition as a former prisoner of war (POW) and denied all service connection claims due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's recurrent left sciatica, diagnosed during active service, is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis, both knees in March 1974 and the RO continued this denial in subsequent decisions. The veteran's claim was reopened but not granted. Service connection for a back condition was also denied.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not a disability for VA purposes. Service connection is granted for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar and thoracic spine, but service connection for residuals of back injury - cervical spine is denied.

The Board denied service connection for both the right wrist capsulitis and right thumb fracture residuals. The veteran's right thumb fracture residuals were initially rated noncompensable, but later granted a 10% rating effective March 8, 2007.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent, as there is no evidence of ankylosis. The current 20 percent rating remains in effect.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine and bursitis (bilateral hips and elbows) as these conditions were not shown to be related to military service.

The veteran's PTSD is granted as related to his service, and he is awarded a 100% rating for bilateral hearing loss disability. The lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is also granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cold injury residuals of the right and left feet with neuropathy and osteoarthritis, substantially impair his employability. The Board grants a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tendonitis of the left scapula with rotator cuff tears and degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, finding that these conditions had their onset during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for scars of the left elbow and lower abdomen, as well as his service connection claims for osteoarthritis of the shoulders and a neurological disorder of the left arm. The veteran was not granted any benefits in these matters.

The veteran's appeal on his claim for an increased evaluation for rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded due to the need for further development and clarification of the nature and extent of his current arthritis.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee, effective December 1, 2005. The veteran's claims for umbilical hernia and right knee pain were dismissed as he withdrew them prior to a decision.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The RO has granted separate ratings of 10 percent for limitation of flexion and 20 percent for limitation of extension of the right knee, effective October 19, 2006.

The veteran's appeal involving an increased evaluation for left foot injury with traumatic osteoarthritis has been withdrawn. The case of his right knee disorder is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for an initial rating for his right thumb disability and service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine are being remanded due to new evidence suggesting a possible inservice injury. The RO is instructed to obtain relevant medical records from Seymour Johnson AFB or Fort Lee, schedule VA examinations, and readjudicate the claims.

The VA examiner found no evidence of a low back injury in service and concluded that the veteran's current back condition is highly unlikely to have had its onset in service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the veteran's bilateral hip disorder, as there is evidence of current disability, an inservice event, and an indication that the current disability may be associated with the inservice event.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and arranging for an examination by a VA examiner.