Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's right ankle disability, which includes a fracture that was repaired and now manifests as osteoarthritis with a scar from plantar fasciitis treatment, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds the evidence does not support an increase in rating beyond this level.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disability, including pes planus, hallux valgus, degenerative arthritis, and hallux rigidus of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's left hip disability, characterized by a fracture of the anatomic femoral neck with nonunion and weight-bearing preserved with a brace, has been rated at 60 percent since the rating period under appeal.

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are not service-connected as they pre-existed service or were not aggravated by service. The Veteran's back disability is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including severe osteoarthritis in his knees and degenerative joint disease of the spine, have rendered him unable to dress, feed himself, or perform daily activities without significant assistance. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance from another person.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic arthritis, left ankle and finds that it is warranted based on continuity of symptomatology since service. The Veteran was initially diagnosed with left ankle arthritis during active service and continues to have symptoms related to this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination of his left knee and obtaining outstanding medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral lower extremities disability, peripheral neuropathy of the left leg, and osteoarthritis of bilateral feet, knees, and hips were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions are less likely than not related to cold weather exposure during service.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current knee conditions are not related to his military service. The Board also found no evidence of a compensable degree of hearing loss in the right ear within one year after separation from service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no medical evidence linking the Veteran's current left and right knee disabilities or right ear hearing loss to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis, right knee disability, and left knee disability have been denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, sinusitis, peptic ulcer disease, radiculopathy of the left upper and lower extremities, degenerative arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for all service connection claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and a temporary total disability rating based on convalescence following left foot surgery have been denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 21, 2008, for the grant of service connection for sinusitis has also been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine is service connected as it is at least as likely as not related to his active military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increase ratings on the issues of left hand weakness, left wrist fracture residuals, left shoulder DJD residuals and left hip arthritis prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for morbid obesity, as well as his claims for an effective date prior to May 30, 2003, and TDIU are all granted. The Veteran is also assigned a 80% disability rating for arthritis of the right knee.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted.

The Veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder and cervical spine osteoarthritis were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied her claims.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection and special monthly compensation based on his cervical spine disability. The current condition was not incurred during or as a result of active service.