Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's left knee disability has been granted a rating of 20 percent since August 16, 2003.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spondylosis, right knee conditions, and left knee degenerative changes were denied as the evidence did not support higher evaluations.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, and increased ratings for the low back disorder, right knee disorder, right wrist disorder, left shoulder disorder, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were denied.

The Board found no basis to assign a disability rating higher than 20 percent for the Veteran's osteoarthritis of both knees.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is being remanded to schedule a new VA examination.

The veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee is related to a leg injury that occurred during military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings in excess of 10 percent for his right and left knee disabilities are being remanded for further development.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar spine disorders, depression, and a bilateral leg disorder to obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee and chronic grade I edema of the left lower leg, as there was no evidence that these conditions were incurred or aggravated in service.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for a low back disorder was reopened, and the claim is granted. The other issues are denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his thoracic and lumbar spine conditions are being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of these service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's varicose veins of the right leg are rated at 40 percent, and his degenerative arthritis with spondylolisthesis of the lumbar spine is rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and generalized arthritis, but granted service connection for post-traumatic sequelae of the left third proximal phalanx and left hand osteoarthritis as secondary to a service-connected disability.

The veteran did not meet the requirements for TDIU under the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) until July 13, 2004, and as such, an earlier effective date is denied; however, the claim should be referred to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for service-connected left hip, lumbar spine, left ulna, and left sciatic nerve radiculopathy disabilities for further development.

The veteran's cervical spine disorder and bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome do not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied as the criteria were not met prior to December 15, 2000.

The veteran's service-connected tendinitis and degenerative arthritis of the right wrist is not shown to be more severe than currently evaluated, and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for osteoarthritis of the left knee is being remanded for additional evidence and an updated VA examination.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his back disability is being remanded to schedule a new VA examination.