Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further procedural and evidentiary development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature of her low back disability and its relationship, if any, to her service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, and the Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess current functional impairment due to these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability was not manifested by severe recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, and there is no evidence of left knee flexion limited to 30 degrees or extension limited to 15 degrees. The criteria for a higher evaluation based on instability or limitation of motion are not met.

The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities. The appeal for an increased rating for bilateral pes planus with right foot valgus and arthritic change is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for osteoarthritis of the spine, but the merits of the claim have not been decided yet. The decision is pending further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his shrapnel wounds and stroke-related conditions, have significantly impacted his mobility. He is seeking specially adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant to accommodate these needs.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal for the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right knee with recurrent subluxation.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral leg disability, including degenerative arthritis of the knees due to lack of evidence linking current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded due to unclear findings from an earlier examination and new evidence indicating worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and his lumbar radiculopathy is separately rated at 10 percent. The current ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disorder, including degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The claim is denied.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, which was pre-existing and had been surgically corrected in 1979, was aggravated during his military service. The current osteoarthritis of the left knee is related to this aggravation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability due to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multi-symptom illnesses, and the preponderance of the evidence shows that his conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis is rated at 30 percent since July 1, 1996. The left shoulder osteoarthritis is rated at 20 percent since the same date.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by arthritis and limited range of motion, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on instability. The current 20 percent rating remains appropriate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability is not service connected, as it was not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service. The Board also found no evidence of a direct connection to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of rheumatic fever, to include rheumatic heart disease, and bilateral knee disability. The Board found that any current disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee disability, characterized by arthritis with limitation of motion and no instability or subluxation, does not warrant a higher initial rating than the current 10 percent.

The Board is remanding the claims for higher ratings for left knee disability, bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, recurrent ear infections, right ankle disability, and hypertension. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is attributable to aggravation of a preexisting left knee disability during service. The hearing loss disability was not incurred or aggravated in active service.