Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for residuals of a left ankle sprain, left ankle fracture, and osteoarthritis of the left knee are not supported by new and material evidence. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, finding no evidence to support higher ratings based on the current clinical findings.

The veteran's service-connected left knee disability does not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as it is not shown to substantially preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for right knee, right hip, and low back disabilities. The rating for residuals of a left knee injury with osteoarthritis was continued at 10 percent, while the rating for left hip arthritis was also continued at 10 percent. Service connection for secondary right knee and right hip disabilities were denied, as well as service connection for a low back disability.

The VA has granted a 50 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, effective from December 12, 2001.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left knee disability is rated at 20 percent, effective January 27, 2003.

The VA determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's right knee disability effective from April 1, 2008.

The Board denied increased ratings for postoperative degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and bilateral pes planus.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed left knee, right knee, and low back disorders are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active duty or were not aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not incur osteoarthritis of the right knee in service and there is no evidence linking it to his active duty service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the left knee is not related to his military service. The right knee issue requires additional clarification regarding whether pre-existing injuries contributed to the current condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, and he requires regular aid and assistance due to his physical incapacity.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, arthritis, tinnitus, hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions had their onset during or are otherwise related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability prior to March 12, 2002. As such, an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of multiple joints, finding that there was no evidence to support a secondary relationship between his service-connected low back disorder and these conditions. The effective date claim was also denied as the veteran did not provide new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for low back disorder, left hip osteoarthritis, and bilateral hip osteoarthritis.,With resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran, his current chronic lumbar strain is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected arterial insufficiency of the legs.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as to the issues of entitlement to service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and entitlement to higher initial ratings for hearing loss and for tinnitus due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Board found that the veteran's current right knee condition, diagnosed as post-traumatic osteoarthritis, is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.