Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected conditions were denied.,He was awarded a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, effective January 19, 1999.

The veteran was granted a separate compensable rating for arthritis with painful or limited motion of the right knee effective November 12, 1991. The RO held that he was entitled to a separate compensable rating based on X-ray findings and painful motion under 38 C.F.R. § 4.59. He was also granted an increased rating for arthritis with painful or limited motion of the right knee effective April 16, 1996.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine (claimed as neck pain). The case is remanded to obtain Social Security Administration records and comply with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as they are rated at less than 60% combined, and there is no evidence that he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, back, and hip disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service, or related to his service-connected right femur fracture.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the feet and increased evaluations for bilateral pes planus and lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis. The conditions are not presumed due to exposure, and there is no indication that they were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has denied the appellant's deceased husband's claims for service connection for heart disease and osteoarthritis, finding that these conditions were not incurred during or within one year after his military service. The appellant is also denied entitlement to nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to her deceased husband lacking requisite service with the United States Armed Forces.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the subtalar joint of the right foot warrants a 20 percent rating, effective from May 1, 2001.

The veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints is being remanded due to the need for further development and medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip disabilities and increased ratings for the veteran's left and right knee disabilities. The hip disabilities are deemed to be directly related to playing football during service, while the knee disabilities are rated based on their current manifestations of degenerative joint disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left shoulder and arm disorder, to include degenerative arthritis, is not related to service. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The veteran's bilateral cold injuries to the lower extremities have been granted initial evaluations of 30 percent each for residuals with pain, numbness, cold sensitivity, and arthralgia plus two or more of the following: tissue loss, nail abnormalities, color changes, locally impaired sensation, hyperhidrosis, x-ray abnormalities (osteoporosis, subarticular punched out lesions, or osteoarthritis).

The veteran's claims for increased ratings on residuals of a compression fracture at T-7 and cervical disc disease, status-post C-6 and C-7 fusion with nerve root compression were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic anemia, hypertension, and osteoarthritis, all secondary to his service-connected infectious hepatitis. The appeal is also denied regarding a compensable disability rating for infectious hepatitis.

The veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and bulging discs at L4-L5 and L5-S1 have been granted. The conditions are considered to be related to injury during service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 10 percent disability rating for osteoarthritis and chondromalacia of the left knee, finding that no factually ascertainable increase in disability occurred within one year prior to the veteran's July 30, 1998 claim.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right knee condition, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has dismissed the appeal as the benefit sought on appeal (service connection for left knee disorder, including degenerative arthritis) has been granted by the RO.

The veteran is seeking service connection for osteoarthritis of his left hip, leg, and foot as secondary to a gunshot wound he received in service. The RO has requested additional service medical records from the U.S. Army period of service but has not yet obtained them.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted to reopen the claim is not new and material, thus denying the reopening of the claim for service connection for chondromalacia of the left knee with degenerative arthritis.