Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's low back disorder and psychiatric disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied her claims.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right and left knees, but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability as it was not incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied all claims, including service connection for PTSD and degenerative joint disease of the right wrist, as well as increased ratings for various disabilities. The claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, finding that there is no evidence showing a link between these conditions and his military service. The claim for residuals of a nose laceration remains pending as the RO has not issued an SOC.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, residuals of crushed fingers, and a pulmonary disorder (claimed as asbestosis), finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service. The Board also found that impaired renal function was proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for TDIU due to the veteran's service-connected disabilities, finding that he was not unemployable prior to November 5, 1997.

The VA determined that the veteran's current level of back disability, including aggravation by service-connected right knee issues and intercurrent injuries, does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board has granted initial disability ratings of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis and right knee osteoarthritis with torn medial meniscus, effective May 26, 2005. A separate 10 percent rating is also granted for instability of the right knee.

The veteran's initial increased ratings for chronic lower back pain and radiculopathy, left lower extremity associated with the condition were granted. The rating for chronic lower back pain was set at 40 percent effective January 18, 2008.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder and right arm disability due to new evidence showing that his current condition is related to his service-connected malignant melanoma. Service connection is granted.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture, carpal scaphoid with osteoarthritis of the right wrist.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left shoulder and left knee disabilities are not related to service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee osteoarthritis, as manifested by severe osteoarthritis confirmed by x-ray, medial joint line tenderness, normal knee alignment, no instability, and 5/5 motor strength in the left lower extremity with a range of motion testing revealing extension to 0 degrees and flexion to 120 degrees without decrease on repetitive use, does not warrant an increased evaluation beyond 20 percent.

The veteran is seeking service connection for osteoarthritis, which the Board has remanded due to incomplete information regarding his National Guard service and need for additional VA examination.

The veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, and his right and left foot disabilities are each rated at 10 percent. The claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in approximate balance, indicating that the veteran's herniated nucleus pulposus and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was incurred during active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher initial rating and an earlier effective date for his hypertension. The veteran was granted service connection for hypertension in May 2003, but the RO assigned a disability rating of 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left knee injury with chondromalacia and patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, finding that her symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board found that the veteran does not have current residuals of a right ankle and heel injury to include osteoarthritis, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.