Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2009

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for reinstatement of a 10 percent disability evaluation for his service-connected osteomalacia of the right knee with Osgood Schlatter and degenerative osteoarthritis, effective from February 1, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to clarify the nature and severity of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service records and requests for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for further examination. The issue will be adjudicated under the theory of direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions are proximately due to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran does not have tendonitis of the right arm, wrist, or elbow that is related to active duty service. Osteoarthritis was also not shown within a year of discharge from active service.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is found to be aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. His hypertension, however, was not incurred or aggravated in active service and is unrelated to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his non-service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of whether separate ratings are warranted given the medical evidence. The claim will be readjudicated, considering extraschedular considerations if appropriate.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability, characterized by recurrent strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, is currently rated at 40 percent. The Board has determined that a higher rating of 60 percent is warranted for the period from September 23, 2002, based on more severe symptoms including persistent sciatic neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, a chronic right shoulder disability, or an increase in the evaluation for his right ankle fracture with osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for increased ratings were not substantiated by the evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee with subsequent total knee replacement, finding that it was effectively granted in a March 1994 decision. The issue of an increased rating for chondromalacia of the left knee remains pending.

The Board found that the claimed disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, back conditions, groin injury residuals, right hip disability, and schizophrenia, were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor may they be presumed to have been incurred as a result of service exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death, and no disability rating or effective date is assigned.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right inguinal hernia and right hand osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional limitations or pain. The Veteran's right foot disability was not service-connected.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disorder. The Veteran's right (major) fifth finger fracture residuals have not met the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his thoracolumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities were increased, with the thoracolumbar spine rating being increased to 40 percent effective August 10, 2004.

The Board has granted service connection for chondromalacia with osteoarthritis of the left knee and a rating in excess of 20 percent for chondromalacia patella of the right knee.