Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2006

The veteran is granted special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another person due to his disabilities, including senile dementia, diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, hypertension, hypothyroidism, osteoarthritis, diverticulitis, status post myocardial infarction, anemia, status post ostomy, and glaucoma.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA treatment records from the Charleston and Greenville VAMCs. The veteran is seeking service connection for a low back disorder, claimed as degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board found that the appellant's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine was not incurred or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left knee disability and granted it. The claims for right knee and right leg disabilities were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability is not etiologically related to his service-connected left knee disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Board denied increased ratings for bilateral degenerative arthritis of the feet, hallux valgus of the right foot, and hallux valgus of the left foot as there was no evidence of incapacitating episodes or functional loss due to pain.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of both glenohumbral joints, finding no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to his current condition.

The Board found that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate.

The Board found that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound due to her ability to perform most daily activities with assistance.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's right knee conditions, but denied his claims for increased ratings. The initial evaluations for right knee instability and arthritis were found to be appropriate.

The appellant withdrew his appeal for an increased rating of his right knee disability, which was granted a separate 10 percent rating in March 2006.

The veteran's claims for service connection for lumbosacral and bilateral hip osteoarthritis are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of S-1 fracture with traumatic arthritis are manifested by severe, recurring attacks of intervertebral disc syndrome with intermittent relief. The RO has granted a 40 percent rating for this condition.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a right fifth metacarpal fracture were granted, but the assigned rating is noncompensable. Service connection was established for osteoarthritis affecting his right hip, right knee, and left knee.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his cervical and thoracic spine disabilities, as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for allergies and TMJ dysfunction with degenerative arthritis of the jaw. The claims for residuals of a left Achilles tendon rupture, including tendonitis, and tendonitis of the left knee and quadriceps are remanded.

The Board has granted a 50 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus with localized degenerative arthritis, effective from July 23, 2005.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine osteoarthritis, finding that it was not incurred or aggravated by military service. The issue of a higher rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left neck is referred back to the RO for further action.

The veteran's service-connected knee conditions have been evaluated based on their severity, with the left leg condition receiving a higher evaluation due to its combination of osteochondrosis and internal derangement.

The VA granted service connection for the veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, sacroiliac joint and assigned a 20 percent disability rating effective June 6, 2003. The veteran's appeal is about whether this initial evaluation should be higher.