Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee, effective December 1, 2005. The veteran's claims for umbilical hernia and right knee pain were dismissed as he withdrew them prior to a decision.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The RO has granted separate ratings of 10 percent for limitation of flexion and 20 percent for limitation of extension of the right knee, effective October 19, 2006.

The veteran's appeal involving an increased evaluation for left foot injury with traumatic osteoarthritis has been withdrawn. The case of his right knee disorder is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's claims for an initial rating for his right thumb disability and service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine are being remanded due to new evidence suggesting a possible inservice injury. The RO is instructed to obtain relevant medical records from Seymour Johnson AFB or Fort Lee, schedule VA examinations, and readjudicate the claims.

The VA examiner found no evidence of a low back injury in service and concluded that the veteran's current back condition is highly unlikely to have had its onset in service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the veteran's bilateral hip disorder, as there is evidence of current disability, an inservice event, and an indication that the current disability may be associated with the inservice event.

The veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and arranging for an examination by a VA examiner.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic residuals of polyarticular septic arthritis, osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, and osteoarthritis of the right knee. The examiner found no direct link between these conditions and her active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical records and determine if there is a relationship between the veteran's current back disability and his service in May 1956.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a neck condition, finding that there is no record of treatment or diagnosis related to cervical spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease during military service.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee and residuals of a fracture of the right tibia and right fibula, finding that these conditions are associated with the veteran's active duty service.

The veteran's degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis, including the bullet fragment and gunshot wound, results in radiated pain but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbar degenerative disc disease, left knee manifestations with osteoarthritis due to altered gait, and right foot plantar warts were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for these conditions.

The Board has granted an effective date of February 28, 1995 for the assignment of a separate 10 percent disability rating for osteoarthritis of the right knee, status post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for his service-connected conditions, including erectile dysfunction, cervical spine disability, fibromyalgia, patellofemoral syndrome of the right and left knees, and bilateral pes planus. The veteran was also denied service connection for hyperlipidemia.

The veteran's current 20% evaluation for right knee ligament avulsion with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current evaluations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed knee disabilities are not related to his military service and thus denied his claims.

The veteran's low back disability was increased to a 20 percent rating effective March 16, 2007. His bilateral knee disabilities remain at 10 percent.