Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine was not related to his time in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left ankle fracture and orthopedic disabilities of the back, hips, knees, and legs. The veteran's claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptions or secondary conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, characterized as degenerative arthritis, warrants a 10 percent evaluation. Additionally, the limitation of extension of the right knee is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine and low back disorders, finding no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The claim for osteoarthritis of the knees was also denied as there is no direct evidence linking it to service.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the back, finding that new and material evidence was submitted. The Board also determined that this condition is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected rheumatic fever.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected postoperative residuals of right femur fracture and osteoarthritis of the right hip were denied as he failed to report for a scheduled VA examination, and there is no evidence of significant limitation of motion in his right hip.

The veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was granted a rating of 40 percent as of September 26, 2003, for severe limitation of motion.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's post-operative residuals of recurrent dislocations of the left shoulder, currently rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's bilateral foot disability, including pes planus and plantar fasciitis, is rated at 30 percent. Separate 10 percent ratings are granted for talonavicular arthritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disorders and an increased rating for thoracic spine disorder. The decision is final as it pertains to a previously denied claim.

The Board found that the veteran does not have additional left foot disability caused by VA care or treatment, including surgeries performed in 1998.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his left knee meniscus tear with osteoarthritis, hallux valgus of the left and right feet, hypertension, and pseudofolliculitis barbae with acne vulgaris. The conditions were found to not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's psychiatric disorder, arthritis of the feet, shoulders, and back disability to service. The claim for hepatitis C was also denied as there is no competent evidence showing a nexus between the condition and service.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation from 10 percent to 20 percent for the service-connected osteoarthritis of the right knee, effective October 2003.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left knee and instability of the left knee, as the evidence did not show more than noncompensable levels of disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's cervical spine disability warrants a single 40 percent evaluation, effective September 23, 2002.

The VA Board found that the veteran's osteoarthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and could not be presumed to have been incurred due to a lack of evidence showing onset during service or within one year after service. The medical records did not show any arthritis symptoms or treatment during his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee osteoarthritis did not warrant a compensable rating from September 22, 1998 through March 7, 1999. From March 8, 1999 onwards, the disability warranted a 10 percent rating.

The veteran's right ankle disability is not service-connected, and his left ankle disability does not warrant a higher initial rating.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and continued the current ratings for otitis media (0 percent) and left knee disability (30 percent). The claim for increased rating of left knee disability was also denied.