Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The VA found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations or service connection.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and review of additional medical evidence. The veteran seeks service connection for his pre-existing Legg-Perthes disease which he contends was aggravated by active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle and osteoarthritis of the right ankle, finding that the current evaluations were appropriate given the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a medical opinion on whether all service-connected disabilities combine to render the veteran unemployable. The claim will also be submitted to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration based on a private physician's December 2007 opinion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not show a marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization due to these conditions. The RO had previously granted an increased disability rating from 20% to 30%.

The veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the hips, knees, wrists, and elbows, a bladder disability manifested by an overactive bladder, epididymitis with orchitis, a kidney disorder, depression, and PTSD are all denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The VA Board found that the veteran's right ankle sprain with degenerative arthritis, limitation of motion, and instability is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 5271 for marked limitation of motion. The claim for an increased evaluation was denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder disability, including rotator cuff tear and degenerative arthritis, is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and clinical records of his VA treatment. The issues are whether he should receive a higher initial evaluation for his left knee condition or be granted TDIU.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee with subsequent total knee replacement was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, may not be presumed to have been so incurred and is not proximately due to or the result of a service connected disability. The criteria for an increased rating for chondromalacia of the left knee have also not been met.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current bilateral ear condition or back disability to his military service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board found that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the veteran's left knee condition, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the veteran's current bilateral foot disorders, including pes planus, talonavicular osteoarthritis and plantar fasciitis, were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The examiner opined that these conditions are more likely related to his obesity rather than his service-connected knee and ankle disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have multiple joint osteoarthritis secondary to his service-connected traumatic arthritis of L1 vertebrae.

The veteran received unauthorized medical care for psychiatric and addiction services. The claim is denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for payment under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1725.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic condition during or within one year after service. The examiner could not provide an opinion regarding the etiology of the diagnosed conditions due to lack of records from service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for post-operative residuals of a right knee injury, based on severe instability/subluxation.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disorder and increased the rating to 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's Morton's neuroma of the right foot was rated at 10 percent, effective March 4, 2005. The Board denied an increase in the rating for his right foot condition.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for service connection for a right hip replacement and degenerative arthritis of the left hip, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims.