Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for bilateral leg injury and foot condition, cold injuries of the legs and feet, sleep disorder as secondary to PTSD/depression, hypertension, and an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss. The effective date for tinnitus was set to January 22, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral leg condition, specifically osteoarthritis of the bilateral hips and knees, as there was no medical evidence or competent opinion linking the current disability to military service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues, and the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's disability rating for his service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and disc herniation was increased to 40 percent, effective September 1, 2007.

The Board denied service connection for a deviated septum, arthritis of the low back, osteoarthritis of the bilateral hips, left great toe disorder and herpes zoster as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee, left knee, and right ankle disabilities were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The Veteran's right knee does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent disabling based on limitation of extension or other factors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the knees and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as they were not proximately due to, or the result of, the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left foot injury.

The Veteran was granted an evaluation of 50 percent for residuals of a shrapnel wound of the right thigh with compound comminuted fracture of the right femur and degenerative arthritis of the right knee, effective January 22, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected chondromalacia of the right and left knees, with degenerative arthritis, were rated at 10 percent each due to pain, crepitus, tenderness, and limited motion. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted.

The claim for service connection for cervical spine osteoarthritis was not reopened as new and material evidence was not submitted. The veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine due to a lack of evidence supporting a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of crushing injury to the left hand, finding no competent medical evidence linking the current condition to active duty service. The Board remanded the issue of entitlement to a compensable disability evaluation for scars of the right hand to the Regional Office.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for his right knee disability, as there was no evidence of limitation of flexion to less than 30 degrees or extension to more than 5 degrees.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining any form of gainful employment, and he is eligible for special monthly compensation based on the loss of use of his left foot.

The Board denied service connection for allergic dermatitis/cutanea tarda and lymphadenopathy as they were not shown to be related to the Veteran's active duty service, including alleged exposure to herbicides.

The claims of service connection for sleep apnea and a cervical spine disability are remanded for further development.