Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis and bilateral hearing loss were not rated higher than noncompensable, as the evidence did not support a finding of more severe impairment.

The Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the left hip is not related to active service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis, left knee, postoperative and whether it is proximately due to or permanently aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's osteoarthritis of the left knee, back (lumbar spine), and left ankle are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disability. Therefore, these conditions have been granted as secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected pilonidal sinus did not cause or aggravate his claimed low back disability, and therefore denied both claims for service connection.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining STRs and a medical opinion regarding whether cold injury residuals from service contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative changes are currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence shows that his symptoms have worsened and he now has a more severe disability. The Board finds an increased rating of 20 percent is warranted.

The Board has found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis was chronically worsened by his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disorder is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The earlier effective date issue remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the right and left knees, both currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound, thus denying her claims for special monthly pension benefits on those grounds. However, she was granted special monthly pension benefits based on being housebound.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and there is no in-service diagnosis or treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. The Veteran's osteoarthritis was noted during service, but it did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to lack of continuity of symptoms after discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of both knees is service-connected, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining service treatment records and SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for VCAA notice regarding applicable diagnostic criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, her claim for a temporary total rating based on hospitalization is denied as she does not have basic eligibility for that benefit.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for lumbar degenerative arthritis was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation from April 20, 2001 to February 25, 2005.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his low back disorder, finding no evidence to support a link between his current conditions and his active service. The left knee condition was also not found to be related to service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been granted service connection, with a 10 percent rating effective from April 4, 2002. The bilateral elbow disability claim was denied.