Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2003

The veteran's increased evaluation for his right leg disability from 10 percent to 20 percent has been granted. The case is now remanded for further development.

The veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 80 percent, with at least 40 percent of the disabilities pertaining to orthopedic issues. Medical opinions indicate he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee condition, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is directly related to an injury sustained during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The veteran's service-connected low back and right ankle disabilities are not rated higher than the current evaluations, and his claims for hand/wrist conditions have been denied.

The Board has decided that the veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left ankle is causally related to his disabilities of the low back, both hips, and both knees. The case is remanded for further development on the remaining issues.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine had its onset during his second period of active service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's chronic acquired left hip disorder, diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the left hip with cystic changes in the femoral head, is linked to his active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities and service connection for a foot and heel disorder were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating or service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected chronic lumbar strain, osteoarthritis of lumbar spine, and history of radiculopathy, as his disability does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for post traumatic stress disorder and a cervical spine disorder. The veteran's lumbar myositis, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine was initially granted with a 10 percent evaluation from December 16, 1997 to June 13, 2002, which was later increased to 40 percent effective June 14, 2002. The veteran's left ear hearing loss and tinnitus were each assigned initial compensable evaluations, while his scars of the posterior aspect of the left elbow and right upper back and osteoarthritis of the left wrist, history of left wrist fracture received initial non-compensable evaluations.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right ankle disability was granted, with a 10 percent evaluation effective from February 22, 2000, to May 13, 2003.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's low back disability and cervical spine disorder, finding that these conditions are related to injuries sustained during active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including dermatitis/tinea pedis, osteoarthritis, rheumatological disease, and left foot disability, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The claims are therefore denied.