Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need of regular aid and attendance or her housebound status is denied as she does not meet the criteria for either condition.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for dermatitis, an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and osteoarthritis of the midfoot, and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for mixed hearing loss of the right ear with sensorineural hearing loss of the left ear.

The Board found that the veteran's heart condition, diagnosed as pericarditis, did not occur during active duty and is not related to service. The veteran also does not have a current heart condition related to his 1992 episode of pericarditis. For osteoarthritis of the knee, there is no evidence of such condition in service records or within one year post-service. Therefore, both claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further action, including scheduling VA examinations and adjudicating increased rating claims and secondary service connection claims. The TDIU claim will be re-adjudicated after these actions.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected Osgood-Schlatter Disease with degenerative arthritis of both knees, as the medical evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for lateral instability of the right knee, limitation of extension of the right knee associated with chondromalacia patella, and degenerative arthritis of the right knee. The RO assigned a 20 percent evaluation for each condition.

The veteran's neck disability, degenerative arthritis of the neck, is not currently manifested and current neck pain has been present since a recent non-service-related car accident.,Allergic sinusitis with headaches and coughing up blood is not currently manifested.,Traumatic arthritis of the right ankle was incurred in active service. The veteran sustained an injury while on inactive duty for training in 1979.,The veteran's reactive airway disease with chronic bronchitis has been treated with daily oral inhalational bronchodilator therapy and is currently manifested by generally normal pulmonary function tests with the possibility of malingering.,Right great toe pain with gouty arthritis is manifested by frequent pain episodes, mid-level pain, a limp, use of a cane, and avoidance of walking up steps.

The VA denied a compensable evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral hands and wrists, finding no evidence of limitation of motion or functional impairment.

The veteran's left knee disability, characterized by chronic meniscectomy residuals with atrophy, sensory changes, and osteoarthritis, was found to be no more than severe in nature. The veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the cause of death was not service-connected and denied DIC and DEA benefits. The veteran died from a myocardial infarction, but his service records are unavailable.

The veteran's claims for service connection for back disorders, depression, and bilateral leg disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his medical records.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and providing proper VCAA notice.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees, as well as instability of both knees, were denied. The RO found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for higher disability evaluations under applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for psoriasis and migraines have been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and chronic fatigue syndrome, with the latter being established by new evidence. Service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the thumbs remains denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for bilateral osteoarthritis of the thumbs, service connection for hypertension, and remanded the issue of service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for extension of a temporary total disability rating, reduction in his disability rating, and increased rating for his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hepatitis C, tinnitus, a low back disability, and right quadriceps atrophy. The appeal is not about service connection issues.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of a chip fracture of the left elbow was granted, and he is now rated at 10 percent. His claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 0 percent for right ear hearing loss was also granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disorder, osteoarthritis of the right hip, and a right foot disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations have been remanded to the RO for a hearing and further review. The case will be returned to the Board after this is completed.