Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2000

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected left femoral shaft fracture does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as it is currently well-healed and does not cause more than slight knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the hips and knees due to a lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and proper rating assignments for his right knee injury, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and right foot disorder with ankle problems.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or by virtue of being housebound due to his nonservice-connected disabilities, including a screw erosion of the left hip and other physical conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disability and hypertension with headaches, finding that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of his conditions.

The Board found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for back disability, and thus the claim is well grounded. The underlying merits of the claim are remanded for further development.

The Board found no competent evidence linking the veteran's current back disorders to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the claims of entitlement to service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, COPD, and bilateral retinal detachment are not well grounded. The claim of entitlement to service connection for cataracts is well grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right and left ankles do not warrant a higher evaluation based on current medical evidence.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for chondromalacia of the right knee with osteoarthritis since September 30, 1993. A separate 10 percent evaluation is also granted for right knee osteoarthritis since June 7, 1996.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine, right hip, and left knee disability are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that a 30 percent rating is warranted for residuals of a left knee fragment wound, including postoperative residuals of an arthrotomy.

The veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, post replacement is denied. The VA has determined that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a left knee disorder and an increased rating for his right knee condition, finding that there was no evidence linking any current left knee disorder to service or a service-connected disability. The right knee condition is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a bunionectomy of the left great toe with degenerative arthritis do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status due to her disabilities.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the right knee, left hip, and asthma have been denied. His claim for increased evaluation for residuals of a right knee injury has been granted to 10 percent.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status based on her ability to perform daily activities without significant assistance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability secondary to his right total knee arthroplasty and an increased evaluation for residuals of that surgery. The evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the claim or for a higher rating.