Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right elbow arthritis and right knee degenerative arthritis were denied. The claim for service connection for a back disorder was also addressed, but is being remanded due to procedural issues.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus with vision disability and increased ratings for the veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, and skull fracture disabilities. The effective dates are not specified as they were previously established.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 60 percent evaluation effective August 2, 2005. His hypertension was also granted an increased rating to 60 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left knee disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, status post excision of medial semi-lunar cartilage, is a residual from an inservice injury and therefore related to service. As such, service connection for this condition is granted.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and cervical spine disorders have been granted initial evaluations of 20 percent each, effective January 1, 2001. The right ankle inversion injury and right eye residuals are not rated as compensable.

The veteran's right knee disability is rated at 40 percent, and service connection for his low back disorder due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition by the service-connected knee disorder is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee medial meniscal tear, mild degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and scarring of the left knee and thigh. The veteran's back disabilities are rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus did not begin during service or as a consequence of activities performed during active service. The veteran's current knee disability is not presumed to have been incurred in service, nor is it due to an already service-connected condition. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected spine disability, finding that the criteria for a higher rating were not met at any point during the pendency of this appeal.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, osteoarthritis of the ankles and knees, morbid obesity, and diabetes mellitus with neuropathy. The evidence does not show any in-service injury or disease that would support a finding of direct service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the provision of a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left hip disability, characterized as degenerative arthritis, does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation. The current 10 percent rating is based on complaints of painful motion.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar strain and cervical spine disabilities are being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration of the revised rating criteria.

The Board granted service connection for various conditions and assigned a 10 percent rating. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a left ankle fracture warrant an increased rating to 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5262 for impairment of the tibia and fibula, as his disability more nearly approximates the criteria required for that rating.