Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU due to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board finds that the veteran's current low back disability, manifested by disc disease and arthritis, is likely due to his in-service injury. Therefore, service connection for this condition is granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected low back disability was denied, and the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also denied.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his right shoulder and low back disabilities are denied as the effective dates assigned are considered the earliest possible under VA regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and increased ratings for his right and left ankle disabilities, finding that there was no verified in-service stressor for PTSD and insufficient evidence linking the current disabilities to service. The veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for service-connected osteoarthritis of the left knee and denied service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right thumb disorder is not related to his military service and denied his claim. The Board also found that the veteran's service-connected right little finger disability warrants a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5003.

The veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the feet, hands, right elbow, ankles, and left great toe were denied. The RO also addressed other issues such as increased evaluations for shoulder conditions, a claim to reopen for knee condition (claimed as osteoarthritis), an effective date for right shoulder condition, and TDIU.

The Board found that the veteran's arthritis of multiple joints, including his shoulders and knees, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The VA examination did not show any chronic residual disability from these injuries at separation. The most probative medical evidence does not support a connection to military service. Additionally, there is no evidence showing that the arthritis is proximately due to or aggravated by the service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected recurrent dislocation right shoulder status postoperative repair of right shoulder (dominant), effective from January 31, 2002.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral knee conditions have been denied. The RO assigned separate evaluations for the right and left knees, but did not grant higher ratings than those currently in effect.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the veteran's service-connected kidney disability and his claimed degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for IVDS of the thoracolumbar spine was denied, as his disability is currently rated at 40 percent. The claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability secondary to lumbar spine disability was also denied.

The veteran's right shoulder disorder, rated at 20 percent disabling, does not meet the percentage prerequisites for entitlement to TDIU under VA regulations.

The Board found no evidence of degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine occurring during service or within one year thereafter, and concluded that it was not related to the veteran's military service.