Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran did not have a current right knee disability and there was no evidence of arthritis in service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a right knee disability is denied.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected residuals of a shell fragment wound of the right knee and bilateral hearing loss was granted. The rating for the right knee is set at 10 percent, with a separate compensable rating for damage to muscle group XI (right peroneal nerve). The rating for bilateral hearing loss remains unchanged.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's conditions and assigned initial evaluations. The right shoulder scars, left ring finger fracture, and bilateral knee osteoarthritis were all granted with a 10% evaluation.

Service connection is granted for bilateral leg disability and low back disability (claimed as residuals of a broken tailbone), but service connection for head injury and PTSD are denied.,The veteran's current back conditions are related to an intercurrent work-related injury, not to any incident in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and service connection, finding that new evidence did not warrant reopening of his claims for right ankle disorder or costochondritis.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his ability to engage in substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed degenerative arthritis conditions, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between his service-connected ulcerative colitis and these disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran did not meet the legal criteria for recognition as a former prisoner of war (POW) and denied all service connection claims due to lack of evidence supporting the claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's recurrent left sciatica, diagnosed during active service, is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis, both knees in March 1974 and the RO continued this denial in subsequent decisions. The veteran's claim was reopened but not granted. Service connection for a back condition was also denied.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not a disability for VA purposes. Service connection is granted for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar and thoracic spine, but service connection for residuals of back injury - cervical spine is denied.

The Board denied service connection for both the right wrist capsulitis and right thumb fracture residuals. The veteran's right thumb fracture residuals were initially rated noncompensable, but later granted a 10% rating effective March 8, 2007.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating than 20 percent, as there is no evidence of ankylosis. The current 20 percent rating remains in effect.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine and bursitis (bilateral hips and elbows) as these conditions were not shown to be related to military service.

The veteran's PTSD is granted as related to his service, and he is awarded a 100% rating for bilateral hearing loss disability. The lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is also granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cold injury residuals of the right and left feet with neuropathy and osteoarthritis, substantially impair his employability. The Board grants a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tendonitis of the left scapula with rotator cuff tears and degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder, finding that these conditions had their onset during service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for scars of the left elbow and lower abdomen, as well as his service connection claims for osteoarthritis of the shoulders and a neurological disorder of the left arm. The veteran was not granted any benefits in these matters.

The veteran's appeal on his claim for an increased evaluation for rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded due to the need for further development and clarification of the nature and extent of his current arthritis.