Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected left knee disability, finding that it did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the low back, right knee, and left knee, status post total knee arthroplasty. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 2, 2001 for the grant of a total rating for compensation based upon individual unemployability due to lack of evidence showing he became unemployable within one year of that date and because his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for such a rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims, including obtaining verification of his claimed stressors and a VA examination for his spine disorder.

The veteran is seeking service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis, which he claims is related to his low back strain. The VA examiner found no direct relationship between the two conditions but did find that the veteran's low back strain may have aggravated his pre-existing lumbar degenerative arthritis.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, which has been rated at 20 percent. The RO should evaluate the claim with consideration of staged ratings consistent with Fenderson and adjudicate based on the amended criteria effective September 26, 2003.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbar spine osteoarthritis and a TDIU, as the medical evidence indicated that the condition was manifested by pain and moderate limitation of motion.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for secondary service connection of his left knee condition and is now reviewing it. The right knee condition may be aggravating or causing the left knee condition, but this needs to be determined through further examination and medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and osteoarthritis of the ankles, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the right knee with retropatellar pain syndrome and residuals of lateral partial meniscectomy, as his symptoms did not warrant an evaluation higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's cervical spine disorder is not service-connected, and his lumbar spine disability does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation. The Board has remanded the issue of total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability is not service-connected, and his bilateral knee and low back disabilities are also denied. The claim for a compensable evaluation for residuals of a compound alveolus fracture of the mandible was withdrawn by the veteran.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disorder is service-connected, as it began during his military service. The gastrointestinal issues are also found to be related to service due to medication use for other service-connected conditions.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left knee with total knee replacement is rated at 30 percent effective October 1, 2002.

The Board has determined that the veteran's substantive appeals with respect to the issues of service connection for a back condition, including osteoarthritis and residuals of laminectomy; osteoarthritis of both knees; hearing loss; and tinnitus were not adequate. The appeal is now vacated due to the Court's order terminating the appeal.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings were granted, but the effective dates and specific rating assignments varied. The left great toe arthritis received a 10% rating from December 21, 1998 to November 8, 1999. The osteophytes of the right patella with pain on motion received a 10% rating as of June 9, 2003. The skin disorder (chronic urticaria) was granted a 10% rating effective January 10, 2001.

The Board denied the application to reopen a claim for VA benefits due to lack of new and material evidence.

The case is being remanded for further action due to the submission of additional medical evidence and because the veteran's substantive appeal constitutes a timely notice of disagreement with regard to the claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the left upper extremity.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral knee disorder, including degenerative arthritis and residuals of total right and left knee arthroplasties, is directly related to his service as a helicopter repairman in Vietnam.