Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2008

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for an effective date of November 19, 1996 for service connection of right knee arthritis and a 10 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome as of March 19, 1997.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with chronic lumbar strain, as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5292 and 5295.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the issue of whether new and material evidence has been submitted to establish service connection for a back disability, also claimed as degenerative arthritis and lumbosacral strain. As such, the Board dismisses this matter.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability and left hip osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on current functional limitations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records.

The veteran's appeal is about whether his current evaluation for degenerative osteoarthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine should be higher than the currently assigned 20 percent. The VA has ordered a new examination to assess the severity of the disability.

The veteran's appeals for increased initial ratings for residual scars, status post appendectomy, and bilateral macula retinal drusen have been withdrawn. The case is now ready for appellate review.

The veteran's knee conditions are currently rated at 10 percent each, and the scar of the left inner thigh is also rated at 10 percent. The claims for increased evaluations have been granted.

The Board found that the claimed degenerative osteoarthritis with neuritis was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not attributable to service. Osteoarthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disabilities.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unfit for employment, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of chloracne, hypertension, residuals of a stroke, osteoarthritis, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) related to his military service. As such, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the conditions listed, including low back disability, left ankle sprain, eye disorder (other than conjunctivitis), bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, chronic lung disorder (PPD positive), gastrointestinal disorder (indigestion or gastritis), prostatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, bronchopneumonia, peptic ulcer disease, ischemic heart disease and hypertensive cardiovascular disease with angina, diabetes mellitus, acute pyelonephritis, liver condition, Bell's palsy with facial numbness, dengue hemorrhagic fever, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right elbow due to a presumption based on its onset within one year of separation from active duty. The other conditions are not granted as service connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication, including obtaining updated treatment records from the San Juan VA Medical Center, requesting medical records from Dr. Edhevarria, and scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to determine if the veteran's hip and lumbosacral spine disabilities are related to service or secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to by, a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The appellant's claims for DIC under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 and accrued benefits have also been denied.

The VA denied an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine since August 2, 1996.

The Board found no evidence of a left knee disability during service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection, concluding that any current left knee disability is not related to his military service.

The appellant's claim for a higher initial level of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for special aid and attendance or a higher level of care was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC under any provision.