Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2003

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to her service and have denied all of her claims.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, currently rated at 20 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current functional limitations.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 20 percent each for osteoarthritis of the right and left shoulders, effective from the date of receipt of the June 1999 claim.

The veteran's case is being remanded for a hearing before a Member of the Board at the RO or for a videoconference hearing, as requested.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected cephalgia and degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, finding that he is already in receipt of the highest evaluation available under the applicable rating codes.

The veteran's knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, with a combined rating of 20 percent. The RO has granted the requested higher ratings for his left and right knees.

The Board has determined that the veteran's present right knee disability is related to his in-service complaints of knee pain and arthritis, thus granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for increased ratings for cervical and lumbar spine arthritis, hemorrhoids, and hallux rigidus with post-traumatic arthritis due to fracture of the right great toe proximal interphalangeal joint are denied. The current evaluations assigned do not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right shoulder and left ankle disabilities do not warrant increased ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for the aggravation of degenerative bone and disc disease L4-L5 and L5-S1 and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, but denied service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis.

The Board denied the claim of service connection for the cause of death due to lack of new and material evidence, as the submitted evidence did not address a relationship between the veteran's military service and his cause of death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the interphalangeal joints, knees, and ankles secondary to his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and an initial compensable evaluation for rheumatoid arthritis. The Board found that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between the veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and his current osteoarthritis.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a low back disorder due to new and material evidence. The veteran's current low back disorder is not shown to be related to his military service or any in-service occurrence or event, nor can it be presumed to be related to exposure to herbicide agents used in Vietnam. The skin infection issue has been denied as a matter of law. The PTSD claim was reduced from 70% to 50%, but the veteran is not entitled to restoration of the higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine began in service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board found no evidence of a left lower extremity disorder related to service, including stress fractures, bursitis, and osteoarthritis. The bladder disorder claim was also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions significantly contribute to his impairment of employment, and he is entitled to vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee retropatellar syndromes, as well as his bilateral shoulder osteoarthritis. The RO had previously assigned a 10 percent rating to each condition.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings on all issues have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.