Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2009

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left and right knee osteoarthritis status post-total knee arthroplasty were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they related to a service-connected disability. As such, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his claimed spinal and sinus conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before a decision can be made on the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the right knee was granted, effective May 1, 2003. He is currently in receipt of a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's right hand surgery residuals with degenerative arthritis are currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that this rating is appropriate.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on appeal have been denied. The VA has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for dermatophytosis of the hands and feet, as his condition is currently noncompensable under DC 7806.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his low back strain with osteoarthritis and service connection for iritis as secondary to a service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, finding no probative medical evidence linking the iritis to his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction, effective December 10, 2007. The Veteran's prostate cancer is rated as voiding dysfunction.

The Veteran's lumbosacral spine osteoarthritis was rated at 40 percent prior to March 29, 2006 and remains at 40 percent thereafter. The appeal is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip osteoarthritis, secondary to a gunshot wound to the buttock, was denied. His claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD with panic disorder was also denied by the RO in April 2008.

The Board has granted a 10 percent initial rating for the Veteran's right wrist fracture, effective from March 15, 2007.

The Veteran's depression is caused by his service-connected bilateral knee disorders. The claims for PTSD, a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29, and for a higher initial evaluation of the right knee disorder are withdrawn.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, and back conditions as secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder. The Veteran's depression claim was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability, including old moderate comminuted L1 fracture; disc disease at L1-2, L2-3, and L5-S1; osteoarthritis of the vertebrae, and degenerative changes of the facets, is a result of his period of active service. As such, service connection for these conditions has been granted.

The Veteran's spouse is not in need of regular aid and attendance due to her various disabilities, as she can perform most self-care and activities of daily living with some assistance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in and of themselves without regard to his age, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and lumbar strain, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, directly or presumptively.

The appellant is not recognized as the surviving spouse for VA death benefits purposes, and her claims for service connection for cause of death and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left shoulder and bilateral knee arthritis, finding no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his left knee disability was denied, and the right knee disability claim was also denied. The denial on both claims is due to lack of evidence supporting the requested ratings.