Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2003

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for osteochondritis dissecans of the right knee post total knee arthroplasty since February 1, 2001. The veteran's other claims have been denied.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, with renal injury due to new and material evidence being submitted. The underlying merits of the claim will be addressed in a separate decision.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for herniated nucleus pulposus and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to new evidence. However, the claim is still denied as there is no evidence that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death while the case was in appellate status.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for heart disease, osteoarthritis of the right shoulder and hands, and cataracts. The Board found that there was no current diagnosis of rheumatism.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, characterized by severe arthritis with additional loss of motion due to pain and weakness during flare-ups, warrants a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5261 for limitation of motion on extension of the leg. The veteran's symptoms are more than compensable at the current 20 percent evaluation.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, effective from October 1990.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the right knee from January 8, 2000. The appellant's instability of the right knee is separately rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted a total rating based on individual unemployability.

The veteran's claim for increased non-service-connected special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as he is able to perform many daily activities without assistance.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for severe bilateral pes planus with degenerative changes, but denied the claims for higher evaluations of the right and left knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder, which is now considered on its merits. The medical opinions suggest that the veteran's service-connected left knee disorder may have aggravated his non-service connected right knee disorder.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative osteoarthritis of the shoulders and cervical spine, skin rashes (eczema), and chronic fatigue syndrome. The conditions were not found to be present in service or due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board found that the appellant's disabilities did not render her helpless or so nearly helpless as to require regular aid and attendance of another, nor were they substantial enough to confine her to her home. Therefore, she is not entitled to special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for spondylolisthesis, L4-5, with osteoarthritis is denied. The claims of reopening the service connection for headaches and challenging the January 1971, April 1985, and July 1986 rating actions are all considered to be mixed decisions.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding that his current lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis is related to lifting heavy ammunition in service.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of multiple joints, including the cervical spine, lumbar spine, shoulders, wrists, hands, and knees. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are likely related to injuries sustained during military service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left rib fracture, right knee injury, third degree burns on the hands and face, laceration of the chin, tumor on the right side of the rib cage, chronic respiratory disability, cardiovascular renal disease (hypertension), tinnitus, musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder and neck, and chronic stomach pain. The decisions are final based on evidence from service records.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and TDIU were denied as the prior rating decisions supporting his service-connected low back disability did not contain clear and unmistakable error.

The veteran's left knee disability, characterized by severe degenerative arthritis and instability, has been rated at 20 percent since February 2002.