Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2000

The veteran is permanently and totally disabled due to multiple physical disabilities, including degenerative intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine, traumatic arthritis of the right ankle joint, reflex sympathetic dystrophy of the right leg and foot, mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and bilateral hearing loss. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the shoulders is service-connected.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected left knee chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis, finding that the current evaluation of 10 percent adequately reflects the severity of her disability.

The veteran's skin condition was found to be noncompensably disabling, while his right knee disorder with osteoarthritis has been rated at 10% effective from January 29, 2000.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic low back disability and a rash on the palms of the hands due to Agent Orange exposure. The veteran's claim for increased evaluation for PTSD was granted, but his TDIU claim remains pending.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, which was previously rated at 10 percent. The RO has now increased it to 20 percent effective March 1999.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a left knee injury, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for status post left shoulder rotator cuff tear is also granted.

The veteran's disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of both hips and depression, prevent him from engaging in any form of gainful employment. As a result, he is granted a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees, as well as for low back disability. The current evaluations are 10 percent for each knee condition and 10 percent for the low back disability.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 60 percent for degenerative arthritis, left knee, with total knee replacement from November 3, 1993 to March 29, 2000 and granted a 60 percent rating for total right knee replacement for degenerative joint disease.

The RO granted increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected disabilities, with the highest evaluation of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine effective February 17, 2000.

The veteran's right knee disability is rated at 20 percent due to persistent pain, limitation of motion, and crepitus. The RO has not granted a higher rating as the condition does not meet criteria for severe subluxation or lateral instability.

The Board has granted the veteran's service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, and fracture residuals of the right ankle. The initial ratings assigned are 10% for each condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left wrist disorder, which includes a fracture and degenerative arthritis, warrants only a 10 percent evaluation. The evidence does not support an increase in this rating.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he has a 12th grade education and over 20 years of experience in the printing field. The Board finds no competent medical evidence indicating that his service-connected conditions alone prevent him from obtaining employment.

The Board has determined that a rating of 60 percent for cervical disc disease with spinal stenosis and degenerative arthritis with bilateral cervical radiculopathy is warranted.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine, effective as of November 18, 1997. The claim for increased disability rating for residuals of an old fracture of the left femur with limitation of motion and slight knee disability is denied.

The veteran's non-service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status. The right knee degenerative joint disease was not found to be service-connected.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spine, effective March 31, 1997. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical development.

The Board has found that the veteran's service connection claim for post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is granted, based on direct evidence linking his current condition to an in-service injury. The case was remanded due to a need for further development and examination.