Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2011

The Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the right knee is due to an injury in service, and the Board grants entitlement to service connection for this condition. The Veteran also has a history of headaches that are related to his in-service motorcycle accident.

The Board has granted service connection for uterine fibroids, status post hysterectomy and left knee degenerative arthritis. Service connection was denied for anemia.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disability, including osteoarthritis of the facet joints and degenerative disc disease, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The earliest clinical evidence of a back disability is from 1994, approximately 41 years after separation from service.

The Veteran's TBI residuals have been granted service connection. The initial disability rating for his left foot hallux valgus with osteoarthritis is set at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was increased to a 40 percent evaluation effective July 22, 2009. The current disability rating remains in excess of what is warranted for his level of impairment.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and development are needed for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the right knee and anxiety neurosis with conversion reaction, as well as a TDIU claim.

The Board finds that a preponderance of the evidence is against a finding that left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and a meniscus tear, was incurred in or otherwise the result of her active military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by osteoarthritis and a torn medial meniscus, was granted an initial rating of 10 percent. The condition is rated based on its direct service connection without any presumption or secondary theory.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on a need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his non-service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis and osteoarthritis was granted at a 10% level. The Board also noted that the Veteran may be entitled to a separate compensable rating for neurological manifestations of his cervical spine disability, but did not address this issue further.

The Veteran's appeal of the initial evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the left knee has been withdrawn. The only remaining issue is whether there was clear and unmistakable error in previous rating decisions regarding service connection, which will be considered along with the effective date claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Meniere's syndrome with deafness and tinnitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis, residuals of a left wrist injury, and residuals of a right wrist injury, have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and readjudication of her claims.

The Veteran's current osteoarthritis of his hands, thumbs, and fingers is related to service trauma. Service connection for bilateral hand, thumb, and finger traumatic arthritis disability is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability is not related to his active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and bilateral hearing loss, finding that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a current clinical diagnosis of PTSD. The right knee osteoarthritis was also found to be unrelated to service.

The Veteran's disability rating for osteoarthritis of the cervical spine was increased to 20 percent, effective from November 1, 2010.

The VA examiner concluded that the Veteran's left hip condition is not related to the bone graft surgery performed in January 1984, and therefore, his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 has been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle strain, osteoarthritis of the left hip, and low back condition. However, effective dates prior to the dates of the original claims have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status as a result of service-connected disabilities is denied because he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.