Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.

The Veteran seeks service connection for residuals of a left foot injury, including degenerative arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence and needs further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his bilateral knee disabilities and service connection for glaucoma of the right eye. The Veteran was granted service connection for glaucoma of the left eye in a March 2009 rating decision.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the right foot, effective from March 30, 2007.

The VA determined that the Veteran's low back, bilateral hip, right knee, and left ankle disabilities are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected left knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no credible evidence to support his PTSD diagnosis and the other conditions did not appear related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected osteoporosis and arthritis, as well as a determination on whether her current arthritis is related to her service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not entitled to special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance due to her physical and mental disabilities. However, she meets the criteria for special monthly pension on account of being housebound.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling appropriate VA examinations.

The Board found no evidence of vertigo or DDD and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine during service, and there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a connection between these conditions and service. The Veteran's current back condition was not shown during service or for years thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the wrists and hands, pes cavus with plantar fasciitis, and cervical spondylosis were denied. The Veteran was granted a compensable initial evaluation (10%) for incomplete paralysis of the right upper extremity from July 22, 2006, and an increased initial evaluation in excess of 30 percent for orthopedic manifestations of cervical spondylosis from July 22, 2006. The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with a compensable initial evaluation (30%) effective March 10, 2008.

The Board denied the Veteran's increased rating claims for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar, dorsal, and cervical spines. The claim to reopen service connection for a left shoulder disability was also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of October 27, 2004 for a 20 percent disability rating for degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome at L1-L5.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by military service and is not proximately due to, or the result of, a service-connected disorder.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of these claims, including obtaining VA examinations for the Veteran's claimed stomach muscle disability, neck and back disabilities, and right leg disability. The Veteran's service connection claims have been denied.

The Board has found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim, but after reviewing all available evidence, including the Veteran's testimony and VA examination reports, it is at least as likely as not that any current left hand disorders are not related to service. The preponderance of the evidence supports denying the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's back disability was rated at 20 percent for the period from January 31, 2006 to May 6, 2008. After this date, his condition warranted a higher rating of 40 percent.

The Veteran's service connection claim for degenerative arthritis of the left knee status post total knee replacement is granted, as there is evidence linking his current condition to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings on his service-connected knee and hip disabilities were denied. The left knee was rated at 20%, the right knee at 10%, and the right hip at 10%. No separate rating was granted for mild degenerative changes of the left knee.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on loss of use of both legs is being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice and the need for a VA examination.