Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2009

The Board found no evidence of coronary artery disease in service or thereafter, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection. The issue regarding reopening his claim for osteoarthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine was not addressed as it is a separate matter.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by active service and could not be presumed due to his military service. The Board also found no evidence supporting a secondary relationship between the Veteran's current low back disability and his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation for his service-connected lumbar spine disability was granted, with the effective date being June 26, 2003. The current rating of 10 percent is maintained.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine conditions, and knee conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for various service-connected conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 20 percent for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome and deep peroneal nerve radiculopathy, or a separate rating of 10 percent for left shoulder strain.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person. The decision is based on his significant nonservice-connected disabilities, including blindness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right foot/ankle disabilities, including bilateral pes planus, plantar fasciitis, and degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, are not service-connected as they were first diagnosed many years after military service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability was granted a 10 percent rating, but the claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee and a bilateral foot disability were denied.

The Veteran's hypertension, osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, osteoarthritis of the shoulder and osteoarthritis of the left ankle were not related to his service or any incident during active service.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis, multiple joints as the evidence did not show that the condition was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied service connection for chronic lumbar strain, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and residuals of an injury to the left eye as there is no evidence that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The appeal is remanded to obtain current treatment records from the Tulsa Institute of Pain and Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center.

The Board denied service connection for the residuals of an excision of osteochondroma, right tibia, as clear and unmistakable evidence demonstrated that the disability preexisted active duty and was not aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral leg injury and foot condition, cold injuries of the legs and feet, sleep disorder as secondary to PTSD/depression, hypertension, and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The effective date for tinnitus was set to January 22, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral leg condition, specifically osteoarthritis of the bilateral hips and knees, as there was no medical evidence or competent opinion linking the current disability to military service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues, and the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and disc herniation was increased to 40 percent, effective September 1, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for a deviated septum, arthritis of the low back, osteoarthritis of the bilateral hips, left great toe disorder and herpes zoster as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The Veteran's right knee does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent disabling based on limitation of extension or other factors.