Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The veteran's appeal involves two issues: service connection for residuals of a sacral fracture and degenerative osteoarthritis of the sacrococcygeal joint, claimed as secondary to his service-connected pilonidal cystectomy; and an increased rating for post-operative scar residuals of pilonidal cystectomy. The Board has determined that both matters are inextricably intertwined and must be adjudicated together.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The case will be readjudicated based on all evidence of record.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic lung disorder and degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, finding no evidence linking these conditions to active service or service-connected disabilities. The veteran's current diagnoses were not shown to be related to his in-service illness.,Service connection was also denied for osteoarthritis of the right hip as there was no formal or informal claim received prior to February 22, 2007.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his back disability and PTSD, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The rating for his erectile dysfunction remains at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations and service connection were denied. The VA found that his migraine headaches, osteoarthritis of the right ankle, asthma, allergic rhinitis with sinusitis, hypertension, residuals of a nose fracture, anemia, diverticulosis, and narcissistic personality disorder did not warrant increased ratings or service connection.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to the RO for additional consideration of new evidence provided by him.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, as well as his increased evaluation claims for residuals of a fractured right talus and injuries to the left shoulder and elbow. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current right knee condition to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that a rating of 20 percent is warranted for the veteran's osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine, as it results in muscle spasms or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his right knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board denied service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to a service-connected disability and denied an increased rating for right knee arthritis. The veteran's erectile dysfunction is not service-connected, and his right knee condition does not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis, peptic ulcer disease, and asthma due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The claim for nonservice connected disability pension benefits was also denied as the veteran did not have qualifying active service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected post polio syndrome and any related conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis are related to an inservice low back injury, granting service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The VA determined that the veteran's thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis warranted a 10 percent rating since November 20, 2005.

The veteran's knee disabilities are rated at the lowest possible level due to mild to moderate impairment, and no higher ratings are warranted.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee and residuals of a right eye injury, finding that these conditions are related to his service-connected right ankle disability. The claim for an increased rating for the right ankle fracture remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability, PTSD service connection, hypertension secondary to PTSD, and low back disability secondary to right knee disability. The left knee was rated at 10% disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his bilateral knee disabilities and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable rating schedules.

The VA denied an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, as there is no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis.