Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2006

The Board denied the appellant's claim for basic eligibility for VA benefits due to a lack of qualifying service as a member of the Philippine Commonwealth Army, including recognized guerrillas, in the service of the United States Armed Forces.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for residuals of fracture of left tibia with benign bone cyst, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed bilateral knee disability is not service-connected and denied her claim.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disability warrants a 10 percent evaluation, effective January 1, 2004. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's severe arthritis of the left knee prior to November 25, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, a right knee disability, and a back disability. The evidence did not support these claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and degenerative arthritis affecting joints other than the left wrist and right knee.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left leg disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board denied service connection for foot fungus and osteoarthritis of the knees, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or spinal meningitis.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder, osteoarthritis of multiple joints, and bilateral wrist disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions began during his period of honorable military service.

The veteran is seeking increased disability ratings for her service-connected bilateral knee conditions, which are currently rated at 30 percent each. The case is being remanded to the RO for proper VCAA notice and further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right knee disability, including early degenerative osteoarthritis and possible torn ACL, is at least as likely as not caused by or related to his in-service injury. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for cirrhosis of the liver, left ankle disorder, and left knee disorder. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a lumbar contusion and post-concussion syndrome with post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The veteran's current conditions are rated at 50 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not have current diagnoses of bilateral hearing loss, bilateral axillary abscesses, or degenerative arthritis in either knee. The veteran also did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating for his cervical spine or lumbar spine conditions.