Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2005

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected hypertension does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as his blood pressure readings were consistently below the threshold required for an increased rating. For degenerative arthritis of the right great toe, the evidence showed x-ray findings consistent with moderate disability but no use of medication or other treatment. The Board determined that these conditions did not warrant a higher initial evaluation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and consideration of staged ratings.

The Board found that the veteran's medical conditions did not meet the criteria for aid and attendance benefits, leading to their termination as of May 31, 2001.

The veteran was granted a TDIU with a 60% evaluation for his cervical spine disorder, effective January 23, 1999. The Board is now considering whether an earlier effective date prior to this date should be assigned.

The veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his knee conditions and determine their etiology.

The veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need for compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development of her claims for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain and the reopening of her claim for service connection for a pineal gland tumor. The RO must schedule a hearing, obtain medical records, and conduct an examination before proceeding with further adjudication.

The VA has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine with lumbosacral strain, effective from the date of the May 1993 decision.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the left hip and left greater trochanteric bursitis as residuals of a left hip contusion, effective from when the appeal was filed.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to the veteran's service-connected left total knee replacement. The issue of direct service connection is moot.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to by, any service-connected disability. The causes of death listed on his death certificate (cardio-respiratory arrest, peptic ulcer, diabetes, and urinary tract infection) are not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of back injury and degenerative arthritis, finding that the veteran did not submit new and material evidence to reopen his claims. The Board also found that there was no evidence relating these conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, right hip, and left hip are inadequately reflected by their current 20% and 10% disability ratings. The case is being remanded to provide the veteran with a comprehensive VA orthopedic examination to determine the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disorder and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are related to his service, including a chronic recurrent lumbar sprain/strain with degenerative disc disease that began during his initial period of service. The Board grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted initial noncompensable ratings for patello-femoral syndrome of the right and left knees.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, chondromalacia of both knees, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The veteran is entitled to presumptive service connection for certain diseases based on his status as a former prisoner of war, provided he was interned or detained for at least 30 days.

The Board denied a higher initial evaluation for stress reactions of the bones of the bilateral lower extremities, finding that there was no objective evidence of painful or limited motion and normal X-ray evaluations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining treatment records and conducting further examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee disability and an initial evaluation of PTSD. The VA found no evidence linking current knee disabilities to military service, while finding that prior to December 5, 1995, the manifestations of PTSD produced mild disturbances of motivation and mood with slight impairment in occupational functioning.