Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee chondromalacia and osteoarthritis warrant a 10 percent evaluation each, but not greater.

The Board granted an increased rating of 50 percent for bilateral pes planus and denied the claims for increased ratings for chondromalacia patella of the left and right knees.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of an increase in the veteran's left knee disability within one year prior to his June 29, 1998 claim for a higher rating. Therefore, the effective date cannot be earlier than June 29, 1998.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess his current disability levels. The case will be returned to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have osteochondritis of the lumbosacral spine and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The veteran is found to be so nearly helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person, meeting the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and thus grants a total disability rating on the basis of individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected post-traumatic osteoarthritis, left knee warrants a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5010 for traumatic arthritis based on X-ray findings. The disability is currently evaluated as moderate.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee osteoarthritis did not warrant a higher rating due to lack of limitation in motion or instability, and thus denied his claim for an increased rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of injury to the left wrist and hand, as well as his service connection claims for arthritis of multiple joints (presumed), bilateral knees, heels, thoracic spine, and right hand and wrist. The evidence did not support granting any of these claims.

The veteran's disabilities do not render him in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound, thus his claim for special monthly pension is denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his right elbow condition, currently rated at 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to cold injury in service and denied all claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining the credentials of examiners and co-signers of the VA examinations.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The veteran's combined evaluation of 60 percent does not meet the criteria for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities alone.