Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability, manifested by limitation of flexion to 45 degrees with pain on motion, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent as his disability is not productive of more severe limitations such as limitation to less than 30 degrees.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Board finds that the Veteran's low back disorder is related to an injury he sustained during active service, and grants service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorders, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and compression fracture T-12, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disorder and right knee disorder, finding that these conditions are related to his active duty military service.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability has been rated at 40 percent for over a decade, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis. The claim for service connection for left hand arthritis and TDIU is denied.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested withdrawal of the appeal.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent since May 2, 2007. He also has a separate 10 percent rating for his right knee condition.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for cholecystitis and post-operative residuals of gallbladder removal, as well as increased ratings for his right knee and left patella disabilities. The issues regarding the appropriate disability ratings for these conditions are more appropriately characterized.

The Board granted a 60 percent rating for the service-connected degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine and chronic sacroiliac strain, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back and leg numbness and additional circulatory disorders are not related to his active service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The Board concluded that these disabilities were not incurred in service.

The Veteran's left Achilles tendinitis with secondary left ankle fracture and posttraumatic osteoarthritis has been rated at 20 percent since May 30, 2002. The current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Veteran's left knee disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service, but he developed hypertension during active duty. Service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee and an effective date prior to May 30, 2003, for hypertension have been granted.

The Veteran's lumbar spine and hip disabilities were rated at 20 percent, but the RO denied his claims for increased ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board also dismissed the appeal as to his claims for increased initial ratings for migraine headaches and degenerative changes to the right shoulder.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA Form 21-8940, scheduling a new VA examination to determine employment capacity due to service-connected disabilities, and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder degenerative arthritis is service-connected, as it was incurred during his military service. However, there is no evidence of a current right hip disability to support service connection.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which reflects the limitation of motion and radiculopathy. The current rating adequately compensates for his symptoms.