Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the current condition. The Board also found insufficient medical evidence linking the current right hip osteoarthritis to his service-connected right knee disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use both lower extremities without aid.

The Board found that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the hips was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated as 20 percent disabling, combining the separate ratings for arthritis and meniscal tear. The decision grants higher ratings based on the severity of symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected duodenal ulcer substantially contributed to his death from prostate cancer, and thus grants service connection for cause of death.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection of left hip, left knee, and low back disorders. The next step is to determine if these conditions are secondary to his service-connected left ankle disorder.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations for various service-connected disabilities were denied. The claims for cervical spine, low back strain with arthritis, right shoulder, and left knee conditions have been evaluated under the appropriate diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability, diagnosed as chondromalacia patella and degenerative arthritis, was incurred during his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral pes planus, or for an initial compensable rating for left shoulder osteoarthritis. His hearing loss was not related to military noise exposure, but his tinnitus is etiologically related to service. PTSD and chronic depression were not found to be service-connected.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability as secondary to the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis. However, the claim for an increased rating for right knee osteoarthritis was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's treatment at Enloe Medical Center on October 25, 2009 was not for an emergent disability and therefore does not meet the criteria for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for migraines, increased disability ratings for thoracolumbar radiculopathy and degenerative arthritis, and groin pain are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claimed knee, hip, and back disabilities are not service-connected. The Board finds that the Veteran's current knee, hip, and back conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current tinnitus is of service origin and grants service connection for this condition. The remaining issues are remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and additional medical records. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee disorders are on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed back, bilateral knee, left ankle, and depression disabilities as they are not etiologically related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as her conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA regulations.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a bilateral hip disability, including degenerative arthritis. The skin disability claim is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss and left knee degenerative arthritis were denied as there is no evidence of a change in the severity of his conditions since the most recent examination.

The Veteran's right elbow osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent disabling since December 2, 2009. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this period.