Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and earlier effective dates, finding that the criteria were not met for higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's low back strain is not productive of incapacitating episodes or significant limitation of motion, and thus does not warrant a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee is attributable to service and was granted service connection. The claims for anal fissures, hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are pending.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees, which he contends is related to his service-connected post-traumatic degenerative arthritis of the left ankle and foot with calcaneal spurring. The Board finds that additional records are needed to determine if there was an in-service knee injury.

The Veteran is over the age of 65 and has a combined non-service-connected disability rating of 90 percent, meeting the criteria for special monthly pension based on housebound status.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling each. The Board has determined that the claims for increased ratings should be addressed by bifurcating them into two separate issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and osteoarthritis now claimed as degenerative arthritis, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the latter claim. The Board also found that there was no evidence of a current disability or a relationship between any diagnosed condition and service.

The Board found no evidence of a left foot disorder in service or for many years thereafter, and concluded that the Veteran's current left foot disorders are not related to his active duty service.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, as the Veteran's disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on range of motion or other disabling symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's partial right hamstring tear, proximal ischial ramus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including an acquired psychiatric disorder, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis/arthritis (OA), gastrointestinal disorders with nausea and heartburn, hypertension, cervical spine discogenic disease at C6-C7, C7-T1 and spondylosis, and a right foot disability (calcaneal spurs) as secondary to her service-connected costochondritis.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against finding that degenerative arthritis of the bilateral knees manifested during a period of active duty for training, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist fracture and post-traumatic osteoarthritis do not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, to include osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and myasthenia gravis. The RO declined to reopen the claim in June 2001 due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent prior to February 13, 2004, and increased to 20 percent between February 13, 2004, and July 19, 2006. A separate evaluation of 20 percent for lateral laxity due to the right knee disability was granted. The Veteran's gastroesophageal reflux disease received a compensable initial rating of 20 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea pedis is rated at a 10 percent evaluation, effective from the date of claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine with radicular pain in the lower extremities is granted, and he is assigned a 40 percent disability rating effective February 23, 2004.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis of such a condition.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent, and his residuals of acute renal failure do not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for multi-level degenerative disc disease with arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee arthritis, chronic left ankle strain, and left L5 radiculopathy affecting the left leg. The lung disability claim is deferred pending completion of development.