Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The veteran has bilateral ankle degenerative arthritis which is related to service. The Board grants the benefit of doubt in favor of the appellant and finds as fact that the veteran's current bilateral ankle disability is related to his service.,The veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected cervical spine disability (degenerative disc disease status post cervical diskectomy). The Board grants the benefit of doubt in favor of the appellant and finds as fact that the veteran's headaches are related to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his left knee disorder, finding that the evidence does not support a rating higher than the current 10 percent assigned.

The VA has denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and effective dates related to his lumbar spondylosis with degenerative disc disease, cervical spondylosis with degenerative osteoarthritis and disc disease, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The VA found that none of these conditions have significantly changed since the last rating decision.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the requirements for these benefits due to his severe disability but lack of actual need for regular aid and assistance.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left hip disability, including his total left hip replacement and osteoarthritis, was not incurred or aggravated during service. The claim is denied.

The Board denied entitlement to an increased rating for a lumbar spine injury on an extraschedular basis and remanded the issue of TDIU. The administrative review decision by the VA Director of Compensation and Pension Service denied both issues.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis and a right arm skin lesion, finding no direct link to his active service or presumed exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbosacral disc disease with osteoarthritis and left leg pain is being remanded due to the need for proper notice under Vazquez-Flores v. Peake, No. 05-0355 (U.S. Vet. App. January 30, 2008), and a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected chronic left thumb strain with exostosis and progressive osteoarthritis of the metacarpophalangeal joint and terminal phalangeal joint was denied as there is no evidence that the current disability warrants a higher rating.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the cervical spine, effective from December 20, 2005. The veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder (including Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorder) remains in dispute.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his patellar tendon pain syndrome of both knees, with a rating of 10% each. Separate ratings of 10% have also been assigned for left knee subluxation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension and degenerative arthritis of the knee were not incurred during his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of a nexus between these conditions and his period of military service.

The Board has granted a higher rating of 50 percent for the service-connected residuals of right knee medial meniscectomy, which approximates ankylosis in flexion between 20 and 40 degrees.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claims, including the assignment of initial evaluations for service-connected left shoulder and elbow disabilities, as well as entitlement to special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the left arm.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his osteoarthritis of the right and left knees, finding that the current ratings are appropriate based on the evidence showing some loss of range of motion but no compensable limitation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of a chronic low back disorder. The Board also found no evidence linking the veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine to his active military service.

The Board has denied service connection for residuals of a broken right leg. The veteran's claims regarding muscle weakness with pain of the knees, legs and arms, as well as osteoarthritis and rotator cuff problems of the shoulders are being remanded to allow for further examination and development.

The veteran's low back strain and mild osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine are currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and residuals of an injury to the left index finger are denied as they do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Total disability based on individual unemployability is also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right shoulder and either knee, finding no current disability or evidence of onset during service. The Board also found that there was insufficient continuity of symptomatology to establish a claim based on presumptive service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for duodenal ulcer disease with hiatal hernia and gastroesophageal reflux disease, as well as his claim for a higher rating for residuals of a left ankle strain with degenerative arthritis. The maximum schedular ratings were not met.