Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claim of service connection for his back disability, as there was no competent medical evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability and assigned an initial rating of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to have been incurred during his service in Vietnam, and thus granted service connection for this condition. The issue of whether the veteran's osteoarthritis of the left foot is related to service remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on limitation of motion or other functional loss due to pain. The current 10 percent rating adequately compensates the veteran's service-connected disability.

The Board has granted the reopening of a claim for service connection for degenerative changes and osteoarthritis of the left shoulder. The issue of entitlement to service connection for residuals of a neck injury is remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing right knee injury, now manifested as degenerative arthritis, was aggravated by his active duty service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy, and osteoarthritis of multiple joints (including the knees) due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The only post-service medical records are from many years after service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the left knee and ankle are being remanded due to procedural issues, including a need for proper VCAA notice and a new VA examination.

The veteran claims that his service-connected back disorder caused or aggravated his left hip disorder. The case is being remanded for further development to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold injury, rheumatoid and/or osteoarthritis, and peripheral neuropathy and vascular disease. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right eye scar, left shoulder arthritis, and left arm disability are all related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current 20 percent disability rating for chondromalacia of the right patella is appropriate, and a separate 10 percent rating for osteoarthritis of the right knee is also granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or necessary special home adaptations due to lack of evidence showing loss of use of one or both lower extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for valvular heart disease, finding it incurred during active service. The remaining issues of sleep apnea, neuropathy, disability of the central nervous system, and other conditions are remanded for further examination.

The VA determined that the veteran's left knee disability, which is already rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Codes 5259-5010, does not warrant a higher rating due to lack of evidence showing ankylosis, severe recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, limitation of flexion to 15 degrees, or limitation of extension to 20 degrees.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The VA granted a 20 percent disability evaluation for the veteran's right ankle fracture residuals prior to July 26, 2002. The VA also denied service connection for a left knee disability secondary to the right ankle disability.

The VA denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the elbows and shoulder pain, finding no evidence linking these conditions to military service.,Service connection was also denied for an acquired psychiatric disorder manifested by insomnia. The VA found that there is insufficient evidence to link this condition to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee disabilities and a psychiatric disability, finding no current evidence of these conditions. The low back disorder claim was also denied as there is no diagnosed condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to lack of verified stressors. The issues of service connection for residuals from a head injury, headaches, and osteoarthritis in both knees are pending and require additional examination.