Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2005

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for left knee instability and a 10 percent evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, effective from when the increased rating claim was filed in December 2004.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional VCAA notice and readjudication of his claim for an increased rating for right knee disability.

The Board found that the veteran's current left foot disorders, including calcaneal and talus stress reactions, plantar fasciitis, and hallux rigidus with osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Board also determined that these conditions are not related to a disease or injury of service origin.

The Board found that the veteran's current joint pain, including rotator cuff tears and degenerative arthritis in both shoulders and left ankle, is not related to his period of active military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current hearing loss in either ear, and thus service connection for defective hearing is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further evaluation of the veteran's low back disability, as there are inconsistencies in how it was initially rated and additional evidence may warrant a different rating.

The Board found that the current diagnoses of osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there was no evidence showing an injury during service and a lack of nexus between the current disabilities and service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of fractures to the left femur and right pelvis were denied. The left femur fracture resulted in a 30% disability rating, while the right pelvis fracture was not rated higher.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine. However, the evidence does not support a finding that this condition is related to active service.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder but granted an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the veteran's left knee disability.

The veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and his accrued benefits claim for a higher rating on the merits is denied.

The veteran's service-connected migraines are rated at 30 percent, and his post traumatic osteoarthritis of the right shoulder is currently rated at 10 percent. The effective date for these ratings is not specified.

The veteran died of pneumonia, which was not service-connected. The Board denied the claim for service connection for cause of death and determined that the veteran did not meet eligibility requirements for VA death pension benefits.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to verify his status as a former POW in World War II.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for service-connected osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, updated VCAA notification, and consideration of new schedular criteria.

The Board has determined that a 40 percent rating for inflammatory polyarthritis is warranted from September 12, 1992. The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date is allowed to the extent indicated.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current conditions to his period of service, resulting in denial of all claims.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left knee disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease at C3-C4 with degenerative arthritis and retrospondylosis, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound, thus denying his claim for special monthly compensation.