Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for a right shoulder disability was denied as there is no legal entitlement to an effective date earlier than May 12, 2000.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected metatarsalgia of the left foot and median mononeuropathy with osteoarthritis from fracture of the left wrist, as the evidence did not support a higher disability rating.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis and a prostate disorder, finding no evidence of these conditions during service or within the presumptive period, and no medical evidence linking them to service. The veteran's claim for PTSD was remanded.

The Board remands the claims for an increased evaluation and higher initial evaluations to the RO via AMC for additional development.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable criteria.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine has been rated at 20 percent, as it is manifested by an abnormal gait during flare-ups but does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the arms, neck, and back as there was no evidence that the condition was present during active military service or until many years thereafter, and it was not shown to be related to any incident of such service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right and left ankle, right and left leg, and right hand conditions were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability.

The Board remands the case to the agency of original jurisdiction for issuance of a letter which contains all of the information required by 38 U.S.C. § 5103 and its implementing regulation, 38 C.F.R. § 3.159.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee conditions and scar are being remanded for further development.

The veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's residuals of a lumbar spine injury with degenerative arthritis were rated at 40 percent as of January 30, 2007, due to limited forward flexion to 30 degrees or less without evidence of ankylosis.

The Board granted increased ratings for benign tremor of the right and left upper extremities, as well as cervical strain with osteoarthritis, but denied increased ratings for lumbar and thoracic strain with osteoarthritis and disc disease.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, found that the veteran's left thigh scars did not warrant an increased rating, and granted a separate 10 percent evaluation for injury to Muscle Group XIV.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the low back and knees, as well as increased ratings for prostatitis and epididymitis, tinea versicolor, tinea pedis, and tinea cruris, a shell fragment wound to the left shoulder and upper back, a shell fragment wound scar of the upper left arm, and a right inguinal hernia. The veteran was granted special monthly compensation based on being housebound.