Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2010

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it is aggravated by his service-connected residuals of head trauma and bilateral leg disabilities. The decision also grants increased ratings for the Veteran's bilateral leg disabilities and finds that he meets the criteria for a TDIU rating based on his combined disability rating.

The Veteran's left hip and left knee disabilities are found to be secondary to his service-connected residuals of the left ankle injury, warranting a grant of service connection. The claim for an increased disability rating for residuals of the left ankle injury remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The cervical spine disability is also rated at 30 percent, which is also the maximum schedular rating available.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for thrombophlebitis (claimed as blood clots) has been reopened and is now granted. Service connection is also granted for osteoarthritis of the left knee.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine, but denied any increase in ratings beyond the initial 10 percent assigned. The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent since September 18, 1997, while his thoracolumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent effective January 24, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of the December 2009 examination regarding whether the Veteran's left leg sensory abnormalities are related to his degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected varicose veins and arthritis contributed to his death due to coronary artery disease, cor pulmonale, and diabetes mellitus. The appeal is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for a left leg mass and remanded the issues of initial compensable ratings for a left knee and leg disability, and a left inguinal hernia. The Veteran is now entitled to compensation for his overlapping symptoms.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted with initial ratings of 10 percent prior to January 8, 2008 and increased to 40 percent after that date. He also received separate 10 percent ratings for radiculopathy affecting his lower extremities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee and a medial meniscus tear of the left knee are denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's anxiety disorder is currently rated at 30 percent and the Board finds that a higher rating of 50 percent is warranted.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted. The previous denial was based on the fact that the Veteran's pre-existing knee conditions existed prior to service and were not permanently aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine disorder, including osteoarthritis, is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected low back disability. The decision grants the claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis and DDD of the lumbar spine were not shown to warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to September 18, 2008.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection due to new and material evidence, and finds that a chronic right knee disability is of service onset.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chondromalacia of both knees does not warrant an increased disability evaluation beyond the current 10 percent rating.

The VA determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he is capable of engaging in sedentary work.

The Board has granted service connection for tricompartmental osteoarthritis of the left knee, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with osteoarthritis was increased from a 20 percent rating to a 40 percent rating effective March 18, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the RO to consider additional medical evidence and provide an SSOC, including a VA examination of his left knee disabilities.