Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2010

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 and service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that the Veteran did not meet any of the criteria in the applicable statute and regulation at the time of his death.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining SSA disability determination and medical records.

The Veteran's claims for reimbursement of private medical expenses incurred between June 2005 and May 2006 were denied as the care provided was not rendered in conjunction with a medical emergency, and prior authorization from VA had not been obtained.

The Veteran's left knee instability is rated at 10 percent, and his bilateral pes planus warrants a separate 10 percent evaluation. The claims for reopening service connection for neck, back, and right knee disorders are granted, but the claim for sleep apnea remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for the residuals of a shrapnel wound of the left arm and left buttock was granted, with a rating of 30 percent for each condition. The claim for TDIU was also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and left knee are likely caused by his service-connected right knee disability, warranting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and its complications, degenerative joint disease of the ankles, peripheral neuropathy, osteoarthritis of the shoulders, and hypertension, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rotator cuff tendinopathy with osteoarthritis of the acromioclavicular joint had its onset in service and is related to his active duty. However, there is no competent evidence establishing a current left knee disability or linking it to service.

The Veteran's service-connected postoperative right medial meniscectomy with osteoarthritis is currently manifested by pain and minimal limitation of motion, but does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected disability, and his causes of death were not otherwise causally related to active service or to a service-connected disability. The appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and DIC benefits are denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left shoulders are being remanded. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is also being remanded due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board found that the Veteran's stress fractures, multiple bilateral lower extremities do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent as there is no evidence of arthritis or significant joint pathology.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation due to the need for aid and attendance of another person or due to being housebound.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability, bilateral knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spine osteoarthritis. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee disability was rated at 30 percent prior to January 13, 2006 and returned to 30 percent after a period of 100 percent. The hip condition has been rated at 10 percent since January 29, 2010.,The Veteran's right knee disability was rated based on limitation of motion and arthritis. The hip condition was rated based on the degree of impairment.,The decision reflects a mixed outcome as some issues were granted (right knee) while others were denied or not addressed (hip).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating for his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disability is being remanded for additional development of the record, including obtaining his vocational rehabilitation and counseling folder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his thoracolumbar spine disability and the etiology of his left knee arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and verifying her periods of active duty. The claims for depression, diabetes mellitus, a chronic condition to account for right ankle pain, and degenerative arthritis of the right foot are also being referred for further review.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and information regarding his SSA disability benefits.