Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2009

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were not found to warrant ratings in excess of those currently assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for right knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia, as well as instability of the left knee.

The earliest effective date assignable for the veteran's grant of service connection for a back disorder is June 12, 2001, the date of receipt by VA of the veteran's claim to reopen.

The veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 10 percent effective August 26, 2003, for arthritis of the right shoulder.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including Type II Diabetes Mellitus, hypertension, chronic sinusitis, a skin condition, osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, thumbs, and knees, diverticulosis, and hiatal hernia and GERD, as none were found to be related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's residual scars, status post left knee arthroscopy are rated at 10 percent. The claim to reopen for a right knee disorder as secondary to the service-connected disability of residuals, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and partial lateral meniscectomy with degenerative arthritis of the left knee was granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's glaucoma preexisted her military service and was not aggravated by it. The veteran's bilateral foot disorder, including pes planus and plantar warts, is presumed to have been aggravated by her military service. The veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The veteran's left knee osteoarthritis does not warrant an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,The veteran's preexisting bilateral foot disorder was aggravated during active military service.

The veteran's PTSD did not cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, resulting in a denial of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining relevant records from the Social Security Administration.

The veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only was denied as the evidence did not show that he had service-connected disability resulting in loss of use of at least one foot or a hand, or permanent impairment of vision in both eyes.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, degenerative arthritis of the lower extremities, and a low back disorder were denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen them. The claim for residuals of surgery to correct a left eye cataract was also denied as there is no medical evidence linking the current disability to his military service.

The veteran is entitled to an effective date of June 6, 2003, for the grant of service connection for bronchial asthma and folliculitis of the scalp. The claims for a rash on the hands and legs, as well as degenerative arthritis of the back, hands, and hips, were denied.

The appeal was denied for an increased rating greater than 50 percent for bilateral flat feet with recalcitrant plantar fasciitis and service connection for depression, but the claim for degenerative arthritis and herniated disc of the lumbar spine was reopened.

The Board remands the issues of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a neck condition to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the one-year presumptive period, and no competent medical evidence linking his current hypertension to active duty.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, an initial compensable evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, and an initial compensable evaluation for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) were denied. The claims for increased evaluations for post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic migraine headaches, and degenerative arthritis of the right ankle are remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal to restore a 20 percent evaluation for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, finding that the reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper.

The Board denied service connection for numbness of the bilateral upper extremities, as there was no competent medical evidence of a disorder manifested by numbness of the bilateral upper extremities.

The veteran's lumbar spine strain is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent based on the current evidence.

The veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent, and his left shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent.