Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to lack of evidence showing an intent to file a claim prior to March 1, 2004.

The Board is requesting additional development to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar and cervical spine, including reviewing MRI studies from Nellis Air Force Base. The case will be remanded for further examination and consideration.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee disability and bilateral varicose veins disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, including a herniated nucleus pulposus. The appeal also addressed an effective date prior to November 3, 2004, for the grant of service connection for chronic arthritis with degenerative changes of the cervical spine.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his right knee disability and schizophrenia, as they do not result in loss of use of both lower extremities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a compensable rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, service connection for diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy. The RO found no evidence of an earlier claim or medical evaluation prior to December 10, 2003.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia and denied an increased rating for degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for a left ankle disability. However, additional development is needed before further adjudication can be made.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine and degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to have contributed substantially or materially in causing his death. The DIC claim is dismissed as the veteran was already receiving a combined rating of 100% due to service-connected disability.

The veteran's service-connected chronic low back muscle spasm, status post-spinal fracture and deformity of T-8 and T-11 with degenerative arthritis, was rated at 30 percent prior to December 15, 2006. The evidence did not support a higher rating under the old VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and secondary service connection were denied as his conditions are not rated higher based on the current criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee conditions, as well as a low back condition secondary to a right knee condition. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or chronicity of symptoms related to these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left knee and service connection for PTSD. The veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his left knee condition, and there was insufficient evidence to establish a link between his PTSD symptoms and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to provide a hearing before a Decision Review Officer (DRO). The veteran's Social Security Administration (SSA) records and her request for a DRO hearing must be obtained.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder disorder, including osteoarthritis of the right acromioclavicular joint and residuals of a rotator cuff tear, was incurred during active duty service.

The veteran's degenerative arthritis of the knees and residuals from a pulmonary embolism in service are granted as service-connected.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations and SMC at the 'm' level was granted, effective from November 13, 1997.

The veteran's service-connected knee and foot disabilities have been evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation for these conditions.