Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee with an effective date of August 14, 2006. The Veteran's claim was reopened and new evidence was submitted to support this decision.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus is dismissed.

The Board found that there is no evidence of frostbite or right great toe fracture during service, and the current conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before a Member of the Board.

The Veteran's right and left shoulder disabilities, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, were incurred during active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected left shoulder and knee disabilities have not been shown to warrant a higher disability rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shrapnel wounds (unspecified), bilateral leg disability with osteoarthritis, left knee replacement, and prostatitis have all been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to active military service.,Service treatment records are negative for any diagnoses or complaints regarding these conditions. The Veteran's disabilities were first demonstrated many years after separation from service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's degenerative polyarthritis was incurred in or aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient examination reports and incomplete service treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected left knee sprain/strain, based on instability and limitation of flexion, did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected knee and hip disabilities have been evaluated as separate conditions, with the right knee rated at 10 percent and the left knee also rated at 10 percent. The bursitis of the left hip is rated at 10 percent. No higher ratings are warranted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the little finger with ankylosis at the distal interphalangeal joint is rated as a noncompensable disability. However, after considering all relevant factors, including pain and functional impairment, the Board has determined that a 10 percent rating is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is for an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the right hip. The RO granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent initial rating in October 2009, but the Veteran contends that his disability is more severe than what was initially assigned.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, increased ratings for total knee replacement with associated scars, and a higher rating for right knee degenerative arthritis were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis, chronic neurologic disability, or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) having a total duration of at least 6 weeks during any 12-month period.

The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent for degenerative arthritis. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition based on the diagnostic criteria provided.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether a disorder of the spine was incurred during active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition for accrued benefits purposes.

The Board is remanding the case to obtain missing VA treatment records and to further evaluate the Veteran's cause of death, including the role of his service-connected conditions in contributing to his demise.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for a respiratory disorder, bilateral hip disorder, and bilateral ankle disorder. These conditions are found to be related to his military service.,Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left hip disability, including osteoarthritis, did not have its onset in service or manifest to a compensable degree within one year after discharge from active service and is not the result of a disease or injury incurred in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.