Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2006

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus and found that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of lumbar spine warrants a 20 percent evaluation, effective from August 2002.

The veteran's service-connected right knee chondromalacia patella and osteoarthritis are currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5010. The veteran's right knee scars do not warrant a compensable evaluation as they are small, nonpainful, and do not limit motion or function. His left eye scar also does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints, including arthritis of her hands. The VA examiner could not provide a definitive etiological relationship between any diagnosed conditions and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation, service connection, and reopening of a claim for secondary service connection due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between his service-connected right ankle sprain and his claimed conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, left knee osteoarthritis, foot/toe disorders, sinus disorders, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, dyslipidemia, hypokalemia, insomnia, and hyperuricemia. The appeals are all denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and the veteran's service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that his current disability level is adequately represented by the existing 10 percent rating.

The veteran's thoracic spine disorder is currently rated at 20 percent disabling. The Board denied his claim for an increased rating, finding that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation based on current forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine.

The veteran's service-connected post-operative, internal derangement of the right knee and degenerative arthritis are rated at 30 percent. He is also granted separate ratings for limitation of motion on extension and flexion due to his degenerative arthritis.

The Board found that the veteran's current spine disabilities did not manifest during his period of active service and are not related to any incident therein. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied all service connection claims, finding that none of the claimed conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar vertebrae as there was no evidence showing a nexus between the current condition and service, including an in-service injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the right shoulder, finding that the evidence did not meet the schedular criteria for a higher evaluation during the periods in question.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for osteophytic lipping of the left knee and a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the left knee, both under the criteria for limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current spine disability was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor may it be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and a back injury, finding that there is no evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his military service.