Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a left knee disability, but denied the right knee disability. The Veteran's claims are therefore considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The lumbar spine disability was not found to meet the criteria for a higher rating, and the left knee disability did not meet the criteria for an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has determined that further development is required with respect to the right shoulder, osteoporosis, lumbar spine, and GERD claims. The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and glaucoma claims are not currently on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a leg condition and status post disc excision of the lumbar spine with secondary degenerative arthritis changes, both claimed as secondary to his chronic low back strain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine his eligibility for specially adapted housing and adaptive equipment benefits due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5003. His right ear hearing loss is not compensable as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evaluations and medical opinions regarding his service-connected conditions, as well as new claims of sinusitis and epistaxis.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee anterior cruciate ligament tear, traumatic arthritis, and left knee varus deformity with degenerative joint disease have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the hips, neck, and back. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disabilities were denied. The Veteran was granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for laxity of the right knee, effective September 7, 2004 through April 24, 2005. His claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the right knee, status-post total knee replacement surgery, was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hip disorder and determined that his low back disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by military service. However, it reopened the previously denied claim for a low back disorder on the basis of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a chronic lumbar strain with history of lower extremity numbness, pain, and osteoarthritis was dismissed as the appellant withdrew the appeal.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the death of the appellant.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for osteoarthritis, right knee. The RO subsequently granted a 10 percent evaluation effective January 16, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a failure in VA's duty to assist, specifically requesting treatment records from Dr. Smith.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination to determine the nature, extent, onset, and etiology of the Veteran's back disorder.

The Veteran meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on a need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities, including heart disease with coronary artery disease and moderate to severe heart failure. He also qualifies for housebound benefits as he is over 65 years old and has multiple service-connected conditions that independently rate at or above 60 percent.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis, status post total knee arthroplasty, is proximately due to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly lumbar DDD with mechanical low back pain, result in the need for regular aid and attendance of another person. The Board finds that the criteria for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance have been met.