Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, to include muscle strain, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of his in-service left foot injury are degenerative joint disease of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (large toe); osteoarthritis of the talar-navicular joint (mid-foot); and pain radiating into the foot and to the ankle; there is no arthritis or more than slight limitation of motion of the ankle; the overall degree of functional impairment of the left foot more nearly approximates moderately severe, but no more than this level.

The veteran does not have osteoarthritis or peripheral vascular disease as the result of disease or injury that was incurred during his active military service. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and otitis media were denied.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, a disc protrusion of the cervical spine, and left knee osteoarthritis as these conditions were not found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, left hamstring strain, and right hamstring strain as there was no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased initial evaluations for his left knee, right knee, and sinusitis disabilities.

The Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based upon the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Board granted service connection for diabetic retinopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The claims for a neurological disorder of the right upper extremity and an orthopedic disorder of the right upper extremity were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating higher than 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as there was no evidence that the disability resulted in forward flexion of 30 degrees or less; favorable ankylosis of the lumbar spine; or incapacitating episodes of intervertebral disc syndrome having a total duration of at least four weeks during the past year.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to October 7, 2005, or 40 percent from October 7, 2005.

The Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, a seizure disorder, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and sinus problems were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty military service.

The appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal for any of the issues related to service connection, and the Board is without jurisdiction to review these matters.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 20 percent, and the left knee and hip disabilities were not increased from their current ratings. The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current condition and his active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding no evidence of worsening or additional disability beyond that already compensated.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for osteoarthritis of both hands, recurrent urinary tract infections, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were remanded to address the November 2004 Order of the Court, which required VA to inform the claimant of the information and evidence necessary to substantiate his claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder, left knee, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities.

The appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left shoulder disability, right wrist arthralgia, and left wrist tendonitis.