Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2010

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for osteoarthritis of the spine, but the merits of the claim have not been decided yet. The decision is pending further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his shrapnel wounds and stroke-related conditions, have significantly impacted his mobility. He is seeking specially adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant to accommodate these needs.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to unclear findings from an earlier examination and new evidence indicating worsening symptoms.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disorder, including degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and his lumbar radiculopathy is separately rated at 10 percent. The current ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis is rated at 30 percent since July 1, 1996. The left shoulder osteoarthritis is rated at 20 percent since the same date.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, which was pre-existing and had been surgically corrected in 1979, was aggravated during his military service. The current osteoarthritis of the left knee is related to this aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability due to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multi-symptom illnesses, and the preponderance of the evidence shows that his conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not service connected, as it was not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service. The Board also found no evidence of a direct connection to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by arthritis and limited range of motion, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on instability. The current 20 percent rating remains appropriate.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of rheumatic fever, to include rheumatic heart disease, and bilateral knee disability. The Board found that any current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Board is remanding the claims for higher ratings for left knee disability, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, recurrent ear infections, right ankle disability, and hypertension. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is attributable to aggravation of a preexisting left knee disability during service. The hearing loss disability was not incurred or aggravated in active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disabilities are not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis, as well as right knee chondromalacia patella and right hip disability, were denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of the disabilities.