Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2000

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus, osteoarthritis of the left wrist, and degenerative joint disease of the right wrist were denied. The RO found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of these conditions.

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his service-connected conditions have been granted, with a 10% evaluation assigned for each condition.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current low back conditions to his military service or any period of reserve/national guard training duty, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The VA determined that the veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine warrants a 40% rating, effective from the date of his claim.

The veteran's service-connected right knee disability, which includes postoperative residuals from a meniscectomy and degenerative arthritis, is rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5257 for recurrent subluxation or lateral instability. Additionally, the veteran has noncompensable limitation of motion due to degenerative arthritis, warranting an additional 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Codes 5260/5261.

The Board has determined that the appropriate effective date for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability is March 16, 1984.

The Board finds that the veteran's lumbar degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative arthritis and left hip degenerative arthritis are as likely as not due to his service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound of the left thigh. Therefore, service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, headaches, and a liver disorder as secondary to Gulf War exposure. The veteran was not granted any disability rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and traumatic arthritis of the right knee. The current rating for the right knee is 30 percent, while the back disability remains at 40 percent.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right ankle disability is denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause shown.

The RO denied higher initial evaluations for the veteran's service-connected disabilities, including headaches, degenerative arthritis of the lower lumbar spine, tinnitus, residuals of a fracture of the ulna, and hemorrhoids. The claims for sinusitis, stomach disorder, labyrinthitis, otitis media, right wrist disorder, and lung disorder with sleep disturbances are not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his right knee disorder, finding that the evidence did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for hypertension and osteoarthritis of the spine, shoulders, left knee, and elbows. The right knee disability was rated at 30 percent disabling.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board has awarded a compensable initial rating of 10% for the veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the right hip.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for a right hamstring disability and bilateral leg disabilities are not well grounded.,Service connection for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine is granted as it was presumed to have been incurred during active service.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right ankle and foot disability, which is rated as degenerative arthritis, does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertensive cardiovascular disease with status post cerebrovascular accident and post-traumatic osteoarthritis as his claims are not well-grounded.

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his service-connected post-operative fusion C5-6 with arthritis and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine from May 19, 1990 to October 7, 1993, were denied. The Board found that a rating higher than 40 percent was not warranted for his post-operative fusion C5-6 with arthritis and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and a rating higher than 20 percent was not warranted for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine from May 19, 1990 to October 7, 1993.

The Board has determined that the appellant's burial expenses are deductible from her countable income, and she is entitled to special monthly death pension based on need for aid and attendance.