Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim for TDIU is held in abeyance.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection of right knee osteoarthritis and remanded the case to obtain additional medical opinions. The left knee disability increased rating and effective date claims are also remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees, as well as his residuals from arthroscopic surgery on the right knee and chondromalacia of the left knee. The evidence did not support an increased rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hip and right knee osteoarthritis are not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and sacroiliac joints.

The veteran's claim for service connection for thoracic strain with degenerative arthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spine is being remanded due to incomplete consideration of certain evidence, inadequate VCAA notice, and the need to obtain Social Security Administration records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased rating for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, service connection for arthritis of the hands, diabetes mellitus, and psoriasis. The evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The veteran's left knee conditions have been rated at 10 percent since the period prior to December 17, 2002. The right knee condition has also been rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right foot disability was rated as 30 percent disabling, while the lower lip scar was not compensably rated.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date of March 24, 1971, for service connection of thoracic back strain. The case was remanded to obtain additional development and evidence.

The Board found that the veteran's current degenerative disc disease of L5-S1, right hip and knee disorders, and right thigh pain are not related to his military service.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected post traumatic osteoarthritis of the right knee does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's lung cancer, which caused his death in October 2003, was not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Board has decided that additional evidence is needed and a remand for further examination of the veteran's right shoulder disability is required.

The Board found that the veteran's left shoulder disorder and cervical osteoarthritis are not related to his service, and denied his claims for increased rating of residuals of a left hand ring and little finger injury. The RO had previously granted a 20% rating for the disability under Diagnostic Code 5219.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and therefore denied his claim for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the appellant is entitled to special monthly compensation based on a need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities of the lumbar spine, knees, and ankles.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current shoulder, wrist, and lumbar spine conditions to his military service. The absence of medical records from service is not considered a fault of the veteran.

The veteran's service records do not show any chronic conditions related to the claimed disabilities. The Board denied all claims of service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as secondary to his service-connected coccygeal bone and pilonidal cyst residuals, finding that there was no relationship between these conditions.