Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with low back pain is not due to disease or injury incurred in service, and thus denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right knee disability does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent for postoperative residuals, and a separate 10 percent rating is assigned for degenerative arthritis. The current ratings are found to be appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the veteran's generalized osteoarthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may it be presumed to have been. The evidence showed that his condition did not have its onset during service and was not otherwise related to service.

The veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine with L5-S1 spurring is currently manifested by back pain interfering with walking, sitting, standing, lying down, and sleeping. The RO denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for this condition.

The Board has granted a total disability rating for the period preceding December 7, 1999 due to service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the case must be remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine if the veteran's current back disorder is related to his inservice injury.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding of entitlement to an increased evaluation for any of the veteran's service-connected disabilities. The current 10 percent ratings are deemed appropriate based on the clinical findings and diagnostic codes applied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a cervical spine disability and increased evaluations of his knee disabilities. The cervical spine disorder is not considered to be secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for the appellant's claimed conditions, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support a grant of service connection.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 20 percent for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine and 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine, effective from September 1, 1991.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for Crohn's disease and peptic ulcer disease, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA Schedule of Ratings.

The veteran's right knee disability, characterized by degenerative joint disease and postoperative residuals of lateral meniscectomy, is currently rated at 10 percent. The RO has granted an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board granted service connection and assigned a 10% rating for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine. The effective date was not established as it was determined that there were no early claims for special monthly compensation prior to April 11, 1997.

The Board found no evidence to support the veteran's claims of service connection for his right leg fractures, bilateral pes planus, low back disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder. The preexisting conditions were not aggravated by service, and there was insufficient medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active duty.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine with radiculopathy, depression, hepatitis B, appendectomy scar, skin rash, hemorrhoids, right wrist keloid, epididymitis, chronic prostatitis, impotency, colon disorder, anemia, and sinusitis. The claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the combined service-connected disability rating is correctly calculated as 50 percent. The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain remains pending.

The veteran's conditions do not meet the criteria for an increased rate of pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require a program of vocational rehabilitation under chapter 31, as his education and work experience are sufficient to find suitable employment.

The veteran's scars of the right thumb and left knee are found to be service-connected. The veteran's DeQuervain's tendinitis, right thumb, and osteoarthritis of the left knee are not found to be service-connected.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is denied. The issue of a higher initial rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine will be addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.