Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for residual scarring from right shoulder arthroscopic surgery, histoplasmosis with lung tissue scarring, and osteoarthritis of the left hand were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during his service or at any point thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as service connection for hypertension, were denied by the Board. The evidence did not support higher ratings based on the severity of his knee conditions or hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis, left knee, is characterized by subjective complaints of pain and slight limitation of motion. The Veteran's service-connected status post rotator cuff tear with tendonitis, left shoulder, was characterized by a slight decrease in active and passive range of motion, accompanied by pain. The RO granted the initial compensable evaluation for osteoarthritis, left knee, but denied an increased rating for status post rotator cuff tear with tendonitis, left shoulder.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spondylosis had its onset during active service and grants service connection for this condition. The Veteran's other service-connected knee and back disabilities are rated in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher initial ratings were denied. The low back disability was not rated higher than 40 percent since February 1, 2008. The bilateral shoulder disorder may not be related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 60 percent for the appellant's lumbar spine disability, effective since July 9, 2002. The claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, osteoarthritis of the left knee, and a low back disability, finding that such conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disorders, finding no evidence of a current disability related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for scar tissue in the cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right hip arthritis have been denied. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disorder is rated at 20 percent, with limitation of extension limited to 5 degrees or less. The Board denied increased ratings for the left hip and right heel disorders as secondary to the service-connected left knee disorder.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis does not warrant an initial compensable disability rating, from March 7, 2002, or a disability rating in excess of 10 percent, from April 17, 2008.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the claim.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is less than total, but the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service connected disorders have not been met. The preponderance of evidence shows that the Veteran is unemployable primarily as a result of the residual disability associated with his nonservice connected cerebrovascular accident.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy and cervical spine degenerative arthritis are related to his in-service injuries, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural errors in VCAA notice and the propriety of reducing his VA benefits due to incarceration. The Board will provide proper VCAA notice, issue a SOC for the reduction issue, and readjudicate the service connection claim.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the appellant's degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, elbow and arm to his military service or a service-connected disability. The claim was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability is related to his in-service accident and/or his service-connected rib and shoulder disabilities, granting service connection for osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee chondromalacia, anterior cruciate ligament tear, and osteoarthritis. The appellant's pension claim was denied due to his period of active duty not meeting the requirements for pension eligibility.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and lumbar spine disabilities, as well as hypertension, were denied. The conditions are rated based on their direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory.