Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertensive cardiovascular disease with status post cerebrovascular accident and post-traumatic osteoarthritis as his claims are not well-grounded.

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his service-connected post-operative fusion C5-6 with arthritis and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine from May 19, 1990 to October 7, 1993, were denied. The Board found that a rating higher than 40 percent was not warranted for his post-operative fusion C5-6 with arthritis and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and a rating higher than 20 percent was not warranted for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine from May 19, 1990 to October 7, 1993.

The Board has determined that the appellant's burial expenses are deductible from her countable income, and she is entitled to special monthly death pension based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current generalized osteoarthritis to his service or a service-connected condition, and denied the claim as not well-grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for thyroid condition, pancreatic condition, spleen condition, and degenerative arthritis, all secondary to exposure to Agent Orange during his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's lumbar disc disability, which is currently rated at 40 percent disabling, does not warrant an increase in evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that his conditions were not well-grounded or met the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the waiver of recovery of an overpayment of disability compensation benefits in the amount of $3,170 due to the veteran's fault in creating the overpayment. The decision also noted that collection would not violate principles of equity and good conscience.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an extra-schedular evaluation for his right knee disabilities, finding that the current ratings adequately account for his symptoms and limitations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for a 20% disability evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, service connection for PTSD, and increased rating for postoperative residuals of bilateral varicose veins. The veteran was granted a temporary total disability rating for PTSD based on hospitalization from November 22, 1993 to January 24, 1994.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability and determine the nature and etiology of any left knee disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected unstable left knee joint is denied, as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. The issue of entitlement to an extraschedular evaluation remains pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that a 20 percent rating was appropriate based on moderate limitation of motion.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for secondary service connection for a fractured right hip was not well grounded due to lack of medical evidence linking the fracture to his service-connected right knee disability. The RO has been instructed to readjudicate the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right knee disability, taking into account VA General Counsel opinions and considering whether separate ratings are warranted based on arthritis.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his chronic low back strain and right shoulder disorder, with a rating of 20 percent each.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability, characterized by severe limitation of motion and pain, warrants a 40 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5292.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis and a visual disorder (claimed as lazy eye) were denied because there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pancreatitis, peripheral neuropathy, organic brain syndrome, degenerative osteoarthritis and Burger's disease as a residual of exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's service-connected idiopathic thoracic rotoscoliosis with osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine is rated at 10 percent, and there are no issues regarding service connection or individual unemployability. The cervical spine disorder, leg pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, and lateral epicondylitis are not found to be related to his service-connected condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking the condition to his service or a service-connected disability.