Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2009

The Board finds that the Veteran's back disorder, diagnosed as lumbar degenerative arthritis, was incurred in active military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for a skin disability and for increased ratings for his left bicep with degenerative arthritis of the acromioclavicular joint. The Board found no current evidence of a diagnosed skin condition or active skin disease, and concluded that there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a link between any current symptoms and service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for osteoarthritis of the right great toe, finding that there was no intent to apply for this condition prior to April 2, 2003.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical nexus evidence and a need for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted effective from July 2, 2005. The effective date is earlier than August 19, 2005 as the evidence shows that his full-time employment ended prior to this date.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The Veteran's left knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service.

The Board has determined that left knee degenerative arthritis was not incurred or aggravated in active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The lung disorder, including asbestosis, is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's right and left knee arthritis, with a final rating of 10 percent for each knee.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and de novo consideration of his claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or related to service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right ankle disability, which is currently rated at 30 percent, has been denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for spinal stenosis, lumbar region; osteoarthritis, feet and joints; cardiomyopathy and hypertension; and idiopathic angioedema. The evidence did not establish a relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee osteoarthritis is not related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the back is not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability is the proximal cause of his degenerative joint disease, right knee. The Board grants service connection for this condition as secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his right ankle disability was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating than 20 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations, with a separate rating for the scar and a separate rating for degenerative arthritis. The Board has determined that these ratings are appropriate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine is related to his active military service, and mild osteoarthritis of the bilateral hips was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional treatment records, as well as consideration of whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right knee disability was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion or other impairment that would warrant a higher evaluation.