Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2000

The veteran's disabilities, including a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spondylosis, degenerative arthritis of the knees, hemorrhoids, COPD, and glaucoma, meet the criteria for a combined rating of 70 percent. The veteran is therefore considered unemployable due to her disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected right knee disability, chronic headaches, and chronic sinusitis are rated at 10 percent each. The rating for mitral valve prolapse is also 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the claim is well-grounded and grants service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, finding it at least as likely as not related to active duty.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is being remanded due to an inextricably intertwined issue regarding service connection for radiculopathy and disc problems. The RO must adjudicate these issues before proceeding further.

The veteran's left leg gunshot wound residuals, traumatic osteoarthritis of the left ankle, degenerative arthritis of the left knee joint, and left knee instability are all rated at their maximum allowable evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings, finding that his scars are noncompensably disabling and his left knee disability is currently evaluated at 30 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for osteoarthritis, lumbar spine.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the spine, as well as an increased evaluation for thrombophlebitis of the left lower extremity, are not supported by evidence showing a plausible or substantiable claim. The veteran's conditions have been found to be unrelated to his military service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the left shoulder, effective July 3, 1997. The condition is rated based on muscle injury and arthritis affecting the non-dominant extremity.

The Board has determined that the initial ratings of 10% for both right and left knee disabilities are not warranted based on current evidence.

The Board denied the claim of additional DIC based on the appellant's need for regular aid and attendance due to her disabilities not rendering her helpless as required by VA regulations.

The Board denied an increased rating for right knee instability and granted a 10% disability rating for arthritis of the right knee, effective July 24, 1995.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected dorsal spine disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee, elbow, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with left leg radiculopathy. However, the evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Board denied increased ratings for patellofemoral syndrome and chondromalacia with degenerative arthritis of the left and right knees, each currently rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is about his service-connected pes planus with plantar fasciitis and degenerative arthritis, including bilateral great toe dysfunction in need of surgical treatment. The RO must schedule the veteran for an appropriate VA examination to evaluate the severity of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals because they were not timely filed within the required time limits.

The Board found no evidence of chronic left knee or ankle disabilities prior to service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking these disabilities to his period of active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and an increased rating for left acetabular rim degenerative arthritis, finding no evidence of such disorders being incurred in or aggravated by active service.