Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2002

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back and leg injuries, have caused him to be unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his pain and limited mobility.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation for the veteran's lumbosacral strain and found that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his claim for service connection for generalized osteoarthritis. The effective date of service connection for thoracic back strain is set at March 24, 1971.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various foot conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection based on secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right wrist disability warrants a 10 percent rating, but no higher. The evidence shows osteoarthritis with residual pain, tenderness and swelling, as well as limited range of motion in some directions.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability secondary to his service-connected pes planus. The Board finds that osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine was chronically aggravated by the veteran's service-connected pes planus, warranting service connection under the provisions of Allen v. Brown.

The Board has granted a 10 percent initial rating for degenerative arthritis of both knees, wrists and hands.

The veteran's death was not due to VA hospital care, or medical or surgical treatment.

The Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for internal derangement of the left knee and assigned separate ratings for arthritis and removal of semilunar cartilage. The effective date remains August 20, 1992.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation for his right knee and left hip conditions have been denied. His current service-connected condition of postoperative residuals of left knee arthrotomy is currently rated at 20 percent.

The veteran is seeking earlier effective dates for various disability ratings and service connection decisions.,He also seeks a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has granted a higher evaluation for bilateral pes planus and reopened the previously denied claims for service connection of back disorder and bilateral knee disorders, both secondary to bilateral pes planus. However, it was determined that brain damage is not related to service.

The veteran's postoperative residuals of a left knee injury with anterior cruciate ligament tear are rated at 30 percent, and he is granted a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis. The RO found that the veteran's symptoms more closely approximate the criteria for these ratings.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, including his meniscectomy and ligament tear, warrants a 20 percent evaluation. Additionally, it has granted a separate 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis with painful motion in the right knee.

The Board found that the veteran does not have degenerative arthritis of the knees, thighs, pelvis or back that was caused or aggravated by his service, or by a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance was denied as he did not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his current physical condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection for generalized osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and PTSD are all granted due to combat exposure during World War II.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for post-traumatic osteoarthritis, finding that there is no evidence of post-traumatic arthritis and concluding that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claim.

The Board has determined that the appellant's post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the right ankle meets the criteria for service connection due to his POW status and current diagnosis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for his left shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation based on current symptomatology.