Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for severe limitation of motion without other compensable criteria met.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical disability, finding that the Veteran's credible report of an in-service injury is consistent with his current diagnosis. The claim for posttraumatic stress disorder was denied as there is no evidence of such a condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder and has reopened the veteran's claims of service connection for hip disorders. The issues of service connection for knee disorders, back disorder, and hip disorders are remanded.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for higher evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the left knee and status post fracture of the left humerus, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than the current 10% and 20% ratings respectively.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request to reopen his previously denied claim of service connection for thoracic strain with degenerative arthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spine, finding that the new evidence submitted does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hip and lumbosacral spine disabilities, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The decision also noted that the Veteran did not meet criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis, to include lumbar strain, was granted with a rating of 20 percent effective May 6, 2008. The highest possible evaluation remains on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including posttraumatic stress disorder, left knee instability, degenerative arthritis of the left knee associated with left knee instability, and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, do not meet the requisite schedular percentages for TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between any claimed condition and his military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for his current low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to obtain outstanding VA treatment records and to provide an adequate VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current back disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of DJD of the left arm was denied as there is no evidence showing that he has this condition due to his military service. The issue of an increased evaluation for cervical spine disability remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to clarify the relationship between the Veteran's current cervical spine disorder and her service, as well as to address the issue of whether she incurred any other conditions during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for posttraumatic osteoarthritis, beriberi, and malnutrition were denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for arteriosclerotic heart disease prior to March 13, 2007 was not granted, nor was his claim for a higher initial evaluation in excess of 60 percent after that date. His claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and may not be presumed to have been incurred as a result of service. The preponderance of evidence is against his claim for service connection.

The Board is remanding the case to comply with VCAA requirements and to determine whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the determination that his discharge is a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have qualifying military service and therefore is not eligible for VA benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of the record, including obtaining additional private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis was denied. The RO found that the Veteran's left knee disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis is rated at 20 percent, the maximum available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The residuals of left hip contusion are not shown to warrant a higher rating.