Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2008

The Board denied increased ratings for postoperative degenerative arthritis of the right knee, degenerative arthritis of the left knee, and bilateral pes planus.

The veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed left knee, right knee, and low back disorders are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active duty or were not aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not incur osteoarthritis of the right knee in service and there is no evidence linking it to his active duty service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the left knee is not related to his military service. The right knee issue requires additional clarification regarding whether pre-existing injuries contributed to the current condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to obtain and retain substantially gainful employment, and he requires regular aid and assistance due to his physical incapacity.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, arthritis, tinnitus, hearing loss, and diabetes mellitus due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions had their onset during or are otherwise related to his active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability prior to March 12, 2002. As such, an earlier effective date is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of multiple joints, finding that there was no evidence to support a secondary relationship between his service-connected low back disorder and these conditions. The effective date claim was also denied as the veteran did not provide new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims of service connection for low back disorder, left hip osteoarthritis, and bilateral hip osteoarthritis.,With resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran, his current chronic lumbar strain is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected arterial insufficiency of the legs.

The Board has dismissed the appeals as to the issues of entitlement to service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and entitlement to higher initial ratings for hearing loss and for tinnitus due to withdrawal by the appellant.

The Board found that the veteran's current right knee condition, diagnosed as post-traumatic osteoarthritis, is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's service-connected hip and knee conditions have not met the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as they do not demonstrate limitation of motion or other disabling symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Board finds that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joints, bilaterally, is not proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected right foot disability and was not incurred in service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for mechanical low back pain and cervical osteoarthritis have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the amended spinal regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and for an earlier effective date for additional compensation benefits on account of his spouse. The veteran's current hearing loss was not shown to be related to his military service, and the RO found that proof of dependency did not meet the one-year deadline.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant records from SSA and VA medical centers.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right wrist osteoarthritis, which was initially characterized as a healed fracture, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected traumatic osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine renders him substantially confined to his home, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on being housebound.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for residuals of osteomyelitis of the left knee and residuals of osteoarthritis of the right hip. The remaining issues on appeal will be remanded for further development.