Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2002

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for polyarthritis as secondary to his service-connected rheumatic heart disease and a rating in excess of 10 percent for rheumatic heart disease.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no evidence of a chronic back condition during his period of active duty or within one year after discharge. The VA examinations did not establish a link between any current back disorder and his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the left knee was denied due to his failure to report for a VA examination scheduled in conjunction with his appeal.

The veteran's low back disorder with degenerative changes has been granted a 20 percent rating, effective from September 14, 1998. The appeal for increased ratings and total disability based on unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is denied.

The Board found no evidence of arthritis during service or within the presumptive period following service, and denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of multiple joints.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee disabilities, including degenerative arthritis and instability, warrant a 10 percent evaluation each. The conditions do not meet criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected multiple joint osteoarthritis was denied, and the effective date of the 20 percent evaluation is set at December 8, 1998. The Board found that there was no medical evidence showing an increase in disability prior to this date.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder and residuals of a right epididymectomy, finding that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right ankle disability was granted, with the effective date being May 7, 1991.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of an injury of the left foot with degenerative arthritis warrant a 20 percent disability rating, effective from April 26, 2000. A separate 10 percent disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle is also granted. The evidence does not support referral for extraschedular consideration.

Service connection was not granted for diverticulosis and residuals of colon polypectomy or degenerative arthritis of the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine as they were not shown to have been incurred in service. Service connection was also denied for left ulnar neuritis and hemorrhoids.

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

The Board denied service connection for low back disorder and headaches, finding no chronicity of symptoms in service or post-service. The veteran's current conditions were not related to any injury or disease during his active duty service.

The veteran's right knee has intermittent locking and instability, limiting extension to 10 degrees during flare-ups of pain. He is granted a 40 percent rating for postoperative meniscectomy with rotary instability of the right knee. The veteran also has moderate osteoarthritis in his right first toe, which warrants an initial 10 percent rating.