Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance has been denied as he does not meet the criteria of needing regular aid and attendance due to his medical conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of a gunshot wound to the left shoulder, Muscle Group I was granted. Additionally, he is now entitled to a separate disability rating for posttraumatic osteoarthritis due to his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee arthralgia and right knee internal derangement and degenerative arthritis, finding that the current disabilities are related to active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and bronchitis, as well as his requests for increased evaluations for GERD and right knee disability. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lower back and right hip have been denied. The RO assigned separate ratings for each period, but did not grant the maximum available benefit.

The Veteran does not currently suffer from bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or gout and did not have these conditions during any time period on appeal.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence. The issues have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The claim to reopen a right shoulder disability was also denied.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands, or permanent impairment of vision of both eyes to the required specified degree. Therefore, he is not eligible for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability and a bilateral foot disorder, finding that the evidence did not support a causal relationship to military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability, to include hypertensive heart disease and hypertension, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine were incurred during his active service. Therefore, these conditions are granted as service connected.

The Veteran seeks service connection for degenerative osteoarthritis of the right knee, which he claims is related to a fall during active duty in March/April 1952. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining medical records and arranging for an examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right foot disorders and depression are granted, while the claim for glaucoma is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and earlier effective dates, finding that the criteria were not met for higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's low back strain is not productive of incapacitating episodes or significant limitation of motion, and thus does not warrant a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee is attributable to service and was granted service connection. The claims for anal fissures, hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are pending.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees, which he contends is related to his service-connected post-traumatic degenerative arthritis of the left ankle and foot with calcaneal spurring. The Board finds that additional records are needed to determine if there was an in-service knee injury.

The Veteran is over the age of 65 and has a combined non-service-connected disability rating of 90 percent, meeting the criteria for special monthly pension based on housebound status.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling each. The Board has determined that the claims for increased ratings should be addressed by bifurcating them into two separate issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and osteoarthritis now claimed as degenerative arthritis, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the latter claim. The Board also found that there was no evidence of a current disability or a relationship between any diagnosed condition and service.