Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have not met the criteria for increased evaluations beyond the currently assigned ratings.

The Veteran is entitled to special monthly pension based on housebound status due to multiple non-service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease. He also meets the age requirement for this benefit.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the service connection for degenerative arthritis has already been established. The initial rating of 30 percent for limitation of extension of the left knee with osteoarthritis prior to February 6, 2007 and an increased rating to 40 percent since that date are denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she withdrew her appeal for a compensable evaluation for left ankle osteoarthritis, status post posterior malleolus fracture, and distal fibula shaft fracture prior to June 23, 2007.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently diagnosed osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine are related to his period of active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran is seeking to reopen his claim for service connection for a back injury, which he claims developed due to military service. The Board has ordered additional development of the record to obtain pertinent medical records and information about any post-service injuries or treatments.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the non-service-connected disability pension award, finding that entitlement arose on November 16, 2004, when the Veteran's private physician provided medical evidence supporting his claim.

The Veteran's muscle and joint pain is attributed to osteoarthritis, while his neuropsychological disorder is diagnosed as bipolar disorder/manic depressive psychosis. Both conditions are not considered due to undiagnosed illness related to service in the Persian Gulf War.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for all issues except gout, which received a 20% disability rating. The remaining conditions were either not granted or had their ratings denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and clarifying whether the Veteran wants a hearing.

The Veteran's left herniated nucleus pulposus at C5-C6 with residual degenerative arthritis was characterized by limited motion and pain, resulting in a disability rating of 30 percent from October 11, 2006. The claim for an evaluation in excess of this rating prior to that date has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability due to lack of current diagnosis and no link between current symptoms and service.

The Veteran's claims for residual scarring from right shoulder arthroscopic surgery, histoplasmosis with lung tissue scarring, and osteoarthritis of the left hand were denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during his service or at any point thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as service connection for hypertension, were denied by the Board. The evidence did not support higher ratings based on the severity of his knee conditions or hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis, left knee, is characterized by subjective complaints of pain and slight limitation of motion. The Veteran's service-connected status post rotator cuff tear with tendonitis, left shoulder, was characterized by a slight decrease in active and passive range of motion, accompanied by pain. The RO granted the initial compensable evaluation for osteoarthritis, left knee, but denied an increased rating for status post rotator cuff tear with tendonitis, left shoulder.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spondylosis had its onset during active service and grants service connection for this condition. The Veteran's other service-connected knee and back disabilities are rated in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher initial ratings were denied. The low back disability was not rated higher than 40 percent since February 1, 2008. The bilateral shoulder disorder may not be related to military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that he met the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted an initial evaluation of 60 percent for the appellant's lumbar spine disability, effective since July 9, 2002. The claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder is denied.