Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on current functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lumbar spine disability began during active service and granted service connection for a low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a right hip surgery scar and assigned an initial disability rating of 50 percent effective from November 19, 2009. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the right knee surgery scar is also addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent, the maximum available rating under current criteria. The Board finds that his condition does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his current disability status and ability to perform daily activities.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities were granted a disability rating of 10 percent, effective as of the date of claim for increase. The appeal was not about service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and consideration of SSA records. The Veteran's low back disorder is being evaluated to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to newly received medical records and is requesting further development before a decision can be made.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right shoulder disorder is not due to or aggravated by active service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's headaches, cervical spine disability involving a herniated disc at C-6, and right shoulder disorder were incurred in service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has determined that further development of the Veteran's claim is needed, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records. The Veteran will need to undergo a VA orthopedic examination to determine if his left knee disability is related to service.

The Veteran's Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the left knee, status post surgery with degenerative arthritis, has been rated at 10 percent since June 2005. The current symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, residuals of a left knee injury, and residuals of a left ankle injury due to lack of evidence showing a nexus between these conditions and his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the loss of use of both feet, entitling him to special monthly compensation at the maximum rate.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The decision did not address the issue of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to pending issues regarding earlier effective dates for service connection and increased initial ratings. The case will be returned to the Board after these issues are addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right eye disability, hepatitis, left hip disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral leg disability, and right foot and ankle disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his appeal on the issue of increased rating for right knee degenerative arthritis was dismissed.