Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2008

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for service-connected migratory polyarthritis was remanded to obtain additional evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for secondary service connection for a bilateral hip disability, to include osteoarthritis, as it was not supported by competent medical evidence.

The Board finds that the veteran has a current chronic low back disability that began during service, and grants service connection for degenerative osteoarthritis at L5-S1.

The veteran is granted a permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits due to his advanced age and current level of disability, which render him permanently unemployable.

The veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence that the condition is related to his service or a service-connected disability.

The case is remanded for the veteran to be scheduled for a new videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The veteran's left knee disability was rated 30 percent, with a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of flexion. The right knee and lumbar spine disabilities were rated at 20% and 40%, respectively, from April 30, 2007.

The veteran's left shoulder disability does not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims to reopen service connection for degenerative osteoarthritis of both knees, as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen a claim for residuals of gonorrhea, and that the arthritis of multiple joints was not related to his service.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and adjudication of the veteran's claims.

The veteran was granted a 20% evaluation for gout, but service connection for osteoarthritis was denied.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's status-post laminectomy at L5-S1, as the evidence did not show forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, favorable ankylosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine, or incapacitating episodes having a total duration of at least four weeks during the appeal period.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development and readjudication of the issues on appeal.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection of degenerative joint disease of the lumbosacral spine with degenerative disc disease at L5-S1 and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, but denied service connection for osteoarthritis of both shoulders.