Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2004

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to ensure compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The case is being remanded for further development due to procedural deficiencies in the VCAA notice.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic acquired psychiatric disorder, low back disorder, or migraine headaches that were incurred in service.,The veteran's statements regarding stressors during service were deemed insufficient and not credible.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for osteoarthritis of the shoulder and knees. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, including from Dr. Deloria and Dr. Chua-Balmadrid, and to provide the veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature of his osteoarthritis.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claim of service connection for a back disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(k) for loss of use of his left foot, finding that he did not meet the criteria for such a benefit due to remaining functional capacity in his left leg.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and left shoulder disability, as well as an increased evaluation for hiatal hernia with epigastritis. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board has decided to remand the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and requests that additional medical records be obtained, as well as a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder, right ankle, and bilateral knee disabilities are related to his military service. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability is aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. The claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, status post meniscectomy, was granted.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The lumbar spine disorder was rated at 10 percent, and the right knee disorder was also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's osteoarthritis of the cervical spine is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The decision also notes that a more definitive assessment regarding the shoulder disability is needed.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including a Statement of the Case with respect to service connection for right hip disability and entitlements related to his right ankle sprain.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected back disability was granted, and he is now receiving a 40 percent evaluation. The claims of entitlement to service connection for prostatitis and nonservice-connected disability pension benefits were denied. His application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for prostatitis has been granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, pulmonary tuberculosis, pneumonia, anxiety disorder, stomach disorder, and foot injury residuals. The reasons were that there was no credible evidence of an in-service stressor or event leading to PTSD, and the other conditions did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and severity of the veteran's conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his post-operative residuals of shoulder dislocations, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current knee disabilities are related to his military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for PTSD was granted, and he is now rated at 50 percent. The claims for increased ratings for the gunshot wounds to the left chest and shoulder were denied. Service connection for a stomach disability other than abdominal cramping due to volvulus of the colon was granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have tendonitis of the right knee and degenerative arthritis of the right knee was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.