Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board remands the issues of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a neck condition to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC.

The veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension was denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the one-year presumptive period, and no competent medical evidence linking his current hypertension to active duty.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, an initial compensable evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine, and an initial compensable evaluation for gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) were denied. The claims for increased evaluations for post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic migraine headaches, and degenerative arthritis of the right ankle are remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal to restore a 20 percent evaluation for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, finding that the reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper.

The Board denied service connection for numbness of the bilateral upper extremities, as there was no competent medical evidence of a disorder manifested by numbness of the bilateral upper extremities.

The veteran's lumbar spine strain is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent based on the current evidence.

The veteran's left knee disability was rated at 10 percent, and his left shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent.

The Board determined that the veteran's death was not service-connected and that he did not have a totally disabling service-connected disability or a total disability rating based on unemployability for a continuous period of at least ten years immediately preceding his death.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee with a history of arthrotomy due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. The Board also found that the pre-existing condition was not aggravated by active military service, as there is no medical evidence showing worsening during service.

The veteran's low back disability is rated at 20 percent, but he is also entitled to a separate 10 percent rating for associated left sciatic nerve radiculopathy.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a lumbar spine injury with degenerative arthritis were granted an increased rating to 40 percent effective August 29, 2005. The veteran's service-connected thoracic compression fracture at T-12 was continued at 0 percent.

The Board has found no medical evidence of record that would warrant a staged rating for the increased rating claim. The veteran's right knee disability was evaluated utilizing Diagnostic Code 5257, and his lumbosacral strain was evaluated under Diagnostic Code 5237 (lumbosacral strain). Both conditions were rated as non-compensably disabling.

The Board has remanded the case due to conflicting medical opinions and new evidence, requiring an examination of the veteran's left knee and lumbar spine.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, status post laminectomy was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee conditions have been denied. The current evaluations of 10%, 20%, and 20% remain unchanged.

The Board granted an increased disability rating of 20 percent for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and assigned an effective date of January 18, 2006. The lumbar spine claim was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's right knee disorder, which is secondary to his service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis. The effective date of this grant is June 13, 2005.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disorder and bilateral knee disorders are not related to her service. The lumbar spine disorder was denied, Graves disease was denied, and the claims for reopening were not addressed.

The veteran's claims for increased rating of right knee disability and service connection for diabetes mellitus are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The veteran's left knee disability has not met the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule.,A separate 20 percent evaluation was granted for lateral instability of the left knee, effective April 1, 2006.