Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2004

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and his claim for service connection for a neck disability secondary to the bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete examination records, need for additional development of medical evidence, and VCAA compliance.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and right shoulder disability are not related to his service, thus denying these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's combined service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for a TDIU, granting his claim.

The Board has determined that the VA's notification and assistance requirements under the VCAA have not been fully met, necessitating a remand for further action.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling him for VA examinations to assess the severity of his left ankle disorder and residuals of a laceration to the left palm.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA medical examination and obtaining updated treatment records.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical and dorsal spine disabilities are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with VCAA requirements and to consider issues on appeal, including a possible extra-schedular disability rating based on impairment resulting from the veteran's right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining medical records from service and determining if any diagnosed conditions are related to military service.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of osteoarthritis of the right knee as secondary to postoperative chondromalacia, left knee with arthritic changes. The remaining issues of service connection for hypertension and increased evaluation for postoperative chondromalacia of the left knee are pending.

The veteran is disabled due to multiple conditions and requires regular aid and attendance, qualifying for special monthly pension benefits.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is remanded due to unclear findings regarding his ability to care for himself and protect himself from daily hazards.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and charley horses/muscle cramps of the legs and thighs, as well as his claim for an increased rating for a scar on the left thumb. The decision also noted that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and inadequate VCAA notice.

The Board finds that the veteran's need for regular aid and attendance of another person meets the criteria for special monthly pension benefits, based on his multiple nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's postoperative residuals of left total hip replacements are causally related to an in-service injury, and thus service connection is granted.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder was denied. The issue of new and material evidence for cervical osteoarthritis and left shoulder disorder was granted, but the veteran's request for a compensable evaluation for his left wrist ganglion cyst was denied.,The veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish that his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left patella fracture with osteoarthritis does not warrant a rating in excess of the currently assigned 10 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for higher ratings under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and cervical spondylosis. The veteran's claim was based on direct service connection.