Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the claims for higher ratings for postoperative nasal polyposis and lumbosacral spine arthritis to allow for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship of these disabilities to service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis in both hands was granted. He also received a noncompensable rating for his service-connected psoriasis, lumbosacral paraspinous strain, sinusitis with headaches, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for the cause of his death and basic eligibility for non-service connected pension benefits, finding that the appellant did not file timely applications and lacked legal entitlement to these benefits.

The Board has remanded the case due to a request for a hearing at the RO, and no rating or effective date is assigned as this is an appeal regarding service connection.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection of a low back disorder. The Board also found that the veteran's current low back disorder is related to his military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left hip injury, psychiatric disability (including bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and PTSD), and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine with lumbosacral strain. The evidence did not show any current left hip disability or residuals of a left hip injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, degenerative arthritis of the right arm, upper gastrointestinal disorder, cardiovascular disorder, bilateral hearing loss, irritable colon syndrome, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, right ankle disorder, and left ankle disorder. The decision also addressed his claim for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's osteoarthritis of the left knee is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected internal derangement of the right knee, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and lumbosacral strain, as well as degenerative arthritis of the left hip, both found to be secondary to the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating and a total rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected left ankle disorder was denied. The maximum schedular rating of 40% under DC 5270 has already been granted, making any higher schedular or extra-schedular ratings unavailable.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disabilities and service connection for bilateral hearing loss were all granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 40 percent for a lumbosacral strain, with disc disease and degenerative arthritis, and to a total rating for compensation purposes based upon individual unemployability due to significant changes in the relevant rating criteria.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim to reopen for service connection for a back disorder, finding that his chronic back pain is due to an injury sustained during active duty and linked to degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left knee disability was granted, with a current evaluation of 20 percent. The RO also established service connection for a right knee disability secondary to the left knee disability and denied claims for service connection for a back disability and TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and liver disorder both claimed as secondary to the veteran's service-connected seizure disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions are related to his service-connected condition.