Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension by reason of being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for this benefit due to his disabilities.

The VA denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for post-operative residuals of right ACL repair, prior to October 14, 2004.

The Board has granted an initial 20% evaluation for osteoarthritis of the left knee, effective from June 2002. The veteran's low back pain and hypertension are currently evaluated at 10%. No further increase in these evaluations is warranted.

The Board has determined that a rating in excess of the current ratings for medial collateral ligament strain and degenerative arthritis of the right knee is not warranted.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The veteran's knee and elbow disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling since January 1, 2002. The thoracic arthritis is currently non-compensably disabling.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various shoulder, back, wrist, and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the shoulders and elbows, DDD of the cervical spine, degenerative changes status post laminectomy of the lumbar spine, peripheral neuropathy of all extremities, a bladder disorder, migraine headaches, and a psychiatric disorder. The evidence did not support a finding of exposure to ionizing radiation during service.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have any of the claimed conditions until many decades after service, and thus cannot be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by service. The appellant's verified service with the recognized guerrillas is also not considered qualifying active military service for VA pension purposes.

The Board has granted a rating of 60 percent for the veteran's right knee disability, which is the maximum schedular rating available under VA guidelines.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected osteoarthritis in the left shoulder and lumbosacral strain, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right hip osteoarthritis is proximately due to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and development of his claim for an increased disability rating for postoperative residuals of a right ankle fracture.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hand and arthritis in the left hand. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and military service.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine have been rated at 10 percent since August 1, 2004.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent due to their very frequent, completely prostrating and prolonged attacks that significantly impact her economic adaptability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee replacement and back disability are secondary to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of a left ankle injury and Reiter's syndrome in December 1990. The veteran submitted new evidence, but it was not considered material to reopen the claim.