Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2006

The veteran's death was not service-connected, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for right patella spurring or degenerative arthritis of all joints, and denied claims for increased evaluation and reopening a PTSD claim.

The veteran is entitled to a 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, effective February 5, 2009.

The veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of his lumbosacral spine disorder and an increased rating for his cervical spine disorder, finding no evidence to support a nexus between current disorders and active service.

The VA denied the appellant's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to her disabilities, which do not render her unable to care for most of her daily needs without requiring A&A.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back disability and depression, as well as service connection for his right ankle disability. The appeals were not about service connection at all.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings are addressed. The left knee is rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion and 30 percent for limitation of extension.,The right knee is rated at 10 percent for limitation of flexion and 20 percent for limitation of extension.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for postoperative residuals of synovitis of the right knee and osteoarthritis of the right knee were denied as his disability picture did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for his service-connected knee disabilities and entitlement to additional compensation for dependents, finding that the combined disability rating was less than 30% prior to June 4, 2003.

The Board has determined that the appellant needs assistance in completing basic daily living activities and grants her special monthly pension based on this need.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for further development. The issue of increasing his disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine will be reconsidered.

The Board has granted a higher rating for the veteran's right knee disability, but denied an increased evaluation for his left knee disability. The effective date issue will be addressed separately.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's post-operative residuals of a left knee injury, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for additional compensation related to arthritis or instability.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected cervical spine and multiple joints disabilities have been denied. The reduction in the evaluation for rheumatoid arthritis from 60 percent to no percent as of July 26, 2005 has also been denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have rheumatoid arthritis and that his current degenerative arthritis is not related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction. The evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for cysts, arthritis of the cervical spine, polyarthritis of hands, knees, elbows, and feet (claimed as rheumatoid arthritis), and hepatitis C have been denied. The veteran is also not entitled to an increased evaluation for his service-connected duodenal ulcer disease.