Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2000

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee and an increased evaluation for his skin condition, ichthyosis with dyshidrosis.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the hands and a conversion reaction, with depression due to lack of evidence establishing a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Board found no competent evidence to support the veteran's claim that his current hip disability was incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied the claim.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is denied. The Board found that the disability does not warrant a higher rating based on current medical evidence and diagnostic criteria. Additionally, the veteran's claim for individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is also denied as there is no evidence showing he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation solely by reason of his service-connected conditions.

The veteran's claim for TDIU was denied due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the criteria for individual unemployability. The Board requested additional medical evidence to determine if the veteran's service-connected conditions, combined with any nonservice-connected conditions, render him unable to work.

The Board granted a 50 percent evaluation for postoperative residuals of surgery for herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) of the cervical spine with osteoarthritis and upper extremity radiculopathy, effective February 26, 1993. The veteran's claim for total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was also granted since March 1, 1997.

The veteran's appeal was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for his claimed conditions. However, the specific rating assigned and effective date are not provided in this decision.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for post operative traumatic arthritis of the right knee. The decision is being reviewed on grounds of clear and unmistakable error.

The Board found that the veteran's claim was not well-grounded because there is no evidence of a relationship between any current disability and an injury incurred in or aggravated by the January 1975 VA surgery.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on a need for regular aid and assistance, or based on permanent housebound status is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected arthritis of multiple joints with bilateral total knee replacement contributed substantially to cause his death.

The veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including bipolar disorder and degenerative arthritis of the back and knee, which have rendered him unemployable.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development due to a request for a personal hearing at the RO.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right knee disability is denied. A separate evaluation of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right knee based on arthritis with painful motion is granted.

The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the veteran's current right knee disability to his active service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The veteran's back disability, rated at 20 percent, is now increased to 60 percent due to its severity and impact on his daily life. The Board also granted TDIU based on the service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have residuals of a back injury incurred or aggravated during active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in 1982, 1983, or 1984. The claim is denied.

The veteran is seeking an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected chondrocalcinosis and degenerative arthritis of the left knee, currently rated at 20 percent. The RO must obtain additional medical records and schedule the veteran for a VA orthopedic examination to determine the severity of his left knee disorder.

The veteran's Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the knees and osteoarthritis of the right shoulder are not service-connected, while his degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is rated at a 10% disability level.

The Board denied claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, hands, and ankles, as well as a claim for an increased rating for rheumatoid arthritis of the right little finger. The veteran's arthritis is found to be due to his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis.