Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2002

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her right ankle disability was withdrawn before the Board could make a decision.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected arthritis did not contribute substantially or materially to his death, and denied both claims for service connection.

The Board has restored the veteran's rating for his service-connected back disorder from 60% to 50%, effective July 1, 1982. The TDIU rating was also reinstated as of June 22, 1989.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for otitis externa, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with narrowing of the disc space at L5-S1, and multiple joint pain of the left and right knees, left ankle, and right hip.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a back disorder, finding that his current symptoms are due to a pre-existing condition and not related to his military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The veteran's service-connected conditions have resulted in a loss of use of both lower extremities, warranting special monthly compensation and eligibility for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment. He is also eligible for specially adapted housing assistance.

The Board granted a temporary total rating for convalescence following July 1989 surgery and an increased evaluation for the right ankle disability.

The Board granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the veteran's status postoperative right knee injury and a separate 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, both effective from May 6, 1996.

The Board found that the veteran's postoperative residuals of a right knee injury with osteochondritis and degenerative arthritis warrant a 20 percent rating under Diagnostic Codes 5010-5258, effective from November 1998. Additionally, a separate 10 percent rating is warranted for painful and limited motion of the knee.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by service-connected conditions, and therefore denied both his claim for service connection for the cause of death and his eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance under Chapter 35. The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's heart disease to any incident or condition during active military service.

The Board found that the veteran's right hip disorder is not attributable to his service-connected right knee impairment with arthritis, and thus denied secondary service connection.

The veteran claims service connection for osteoarthritis of the hands with associated Heberden's nodes, which he believes is due to exposure to electromagnetic radiation in service. The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted sufficient to reopen his claim, and thus remanded the case for further development.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the postoperative residuals of a left wrist fracture, effective from when the disability was initially rated in March 1971.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected polyarthritis of hands, wrists, and knees does not warrant a higher rating than the current 10 percent assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to an increased rating for degenerative arthritis, left knee and service connection for depression. The veteran's claim for a higher rating was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a schedular evaluation in excess of 20 percent. The claim for service connection for depression was also denied due to lack of evidence showing it was incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, which includes a history of meniscectomy and degenerative arthritis, warrants a rating of 30 percent. This decision grants the higher rating but does not exceed the maximum available benefit.

The veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine is not related to his service-connected residuals of gunshot wound, and his claim for an increased rating for back disability was denied.

The Board found no evidence of a spine disorder during service and concluded that the veteran's current osteoarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left knee and back disorders are not related to his service-connected right knee disability, and therefore denied both claims for secondary service connection.