Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2004

The VA denied an increased evaluation for residuals of hemorrhagic fever, to include arthralgia of the low back and right ankle. The veteran's disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his conditions did not render him unemployable.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD is granted. The claim for an increased evaluation of his left foot disability remains denied as the maximum schedular rating has been assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of shell fragment wounds of the fingers, degenerative arthritis of the hands as secondary to shell fragment wounds of the fingers, and residuals of shell fragment wounds of the legs. The evidence did not show these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for cold weather injury to the nose, Achilles tendonitis of the right ankle, left ankle disability (including osteoarthritis), and bilateral heel spurs. The veteran's right shoulder condition is not considered service-connected.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and increased initial disability ratings for left knee ACL deficiency and osteoarthritis. The veteran was not granted service connection for PTSD due to lack of a current diagnosis. For his left knee disabilities, he received a 20 percent rating for ACL deficiency status post medial meniscectomy.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was granted effective December 28, 2001. The decision is based on his physical disabilities since at least January 6, 1999.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right hip, as his disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for postoperative residuals of a right medial meniscectomy, maintaining the current 10 percent rating. The VA also maintained the 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis in the right knee.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected left humerus fracture with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA orthopedic examination.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's right knee disorder, including instability, degenerative arthritis and scars.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the right ankle was granted, with a rating of 10 percent.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the veteran's left shoulder disability, as his range of motion is not limited to less than shoulder level.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for her service-connected left knee disability, finding that it did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the low back, right knee, and left knee, status post total knee arthroplasty. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 2, 2001 for the grant of a total rating for compensation based upon individual unemployability due to lack of evidence showing he became unemployable within one year of that date and because his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for such a rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the veteran's claims, including obtaining verification of his claimed stressors and a VA examination for his spine disorder.

The veteran is seeking service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis, which he claims is related to his low back strain. The VA examiner found no direct relationship between the two conditions but did find that the veteran's low back strain may have aggravated his pre-existing lumbar degenerative arthritis.

The veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, which has been rated at 20 percent. The RO should evaluate the claim with consideration of staged ratings consistent with Fenderson and adjudicate based on the amended criteria effective September 26, 2003.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation of his service-connected lumbar spine osteoarthritis and a TDIU, as the medical evidence indicated that the condition was manifested by pain and moderate limitation of motion.