Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's unauthorized medical services claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and opinions regarding the nature of the emergency and feasibility of VA facilities.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and did not address the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of gunshot wound to the right side of chest with hemothorax and retained foreign body. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a VA opinion regarding the presence of instability in his right knee following total knee replacement, and whether he should be granted a separate compensable rating for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including psychiatric conditions, knee and spine issues, high blood pressure, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss. The case is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left ankle disorder, diagnosed as left ankle osteoarthritis and status post excision of partial bone of the distal tibia and talus, is related to his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's knee disorders do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic low back pain with left radiculopathy and right hip degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his period of active service.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for additional evidentiary development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records.

The Board found that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and bilateral hearing loss disability were not incurred or aggravated in service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and right hip disabilities are attributed to known clinical diagnoses, not service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that there was no evidence to support a higher rating or secondary service connection. The right foot disability is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability is not related to his service-connected left knee disability and therefore denied the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, as well as thoracic spondylosis, were evaluated at a 10 percent rating since November 1, 2003. The Board found that these conditions did not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disorders, finding that the medical evidence does not support such a relationship.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease of the right knee and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected seronegative polyarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, knees, hands, and shoulders is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Board found that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to her mobility and independence.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for increased DIC benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to comply with the Court's June 2004 decision, which found that VA had failed to provide proper notice. Additional development is needed for compliance with VA's duty to assist and notify.