Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to insufficient evidence of permanent and total disability from non-service connected conditions. Additional records, including SSA disability benefit information and VA outpatient treatment records, are needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine if his foot-related symptoms are related to his service-connected bilateral calcaneal stress fractures.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral hips and ankles have been denied as there is no diagnosed condition in either hip or ankle joints.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right knee and back disabilities, finding that they are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current upper back disability or cold injury to the feet. The left knee disability is currently diagnosed as early osteoarthritis and was found to be related to service, but the claim for this issue is granted.

The RO denied increased ratings for the appellant's right shoulder, wrist, knee and ankle disabilities.,The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance in the activities of daily living, thus denying his claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative osteoarthritis with spondylosis, lumbar paravertebral myositis, and discogenic disease is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain disability is manifested by x-ray findings of spondylosis, MRI findings of osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease at L4-5 with secondary mild neural foraminal narrowing. The Veteran has marked limitation of forward bending in the standing position (most severely to 65 degrees), loss of lateral motion, some muscle spasms, and functional impairment due to pain. As these symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee disability was denied. The evidence did not show incapacitating exacerbations, ankylosis, subluxation or lateral instability, cartilage dislocation, malunion of the tibia and fibula, limitation of flexion to 30 degrees, limitation of extension to 15 degrees, or malunion of the tibia and fibula. The Veteran's right knee disability was rated as 10 percent disabling under DCs 5260 and 5261.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded to the RO for further development, including additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for asbestosis and stable mediastinal lymphadenopathy have not been established. The Board has also determined that the Veteran's current lung condition is not likely related to his military service.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability. The Veteran was assigned a separate 10 percent evaluation for lateral patellar subluxation.

The Veteran's claims for frozen feet, residuals; arthritis (unrelated to bilateral knees or left ankle or foot); and right knee mild osteoarthritis were denied. The claim for a left ankle disability was granted as service connection is possible.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, of multiple joints. The evidence did not support a finding that the current arthritic conditions are related to service.

The Board and the Director of Compensation and Pension Service have determined that higher ratings for the Veteran's right knee disability on an extra-schedular basis are not warranted, as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 30 percent. The Director also concluded that he is not unemployable solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence to raise a reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran's claim, and thus service connection for his right index finger deformity is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis, osteopenia of the fingers, arthritis of the toes, and degenerative or osteoporosis of the spine are granted as these conditions are considered to be radiogenic diseases related to his exposure to ionizing radiation during service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for hidradenitis suppurativa, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right knee meniscectomy with osteoarthritis were denied as his conditions did not warrant a higher evaluation based on the evidence of record.