Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis and instability are rated at 20 percent, the highest available rating for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, lumbar spine, and cervical spine disorders have been denied as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized non-VA medical expenses is denied as the treatment was not for an emergent condition and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Veteran's claim was partially granted, with some issues receiving a higher rating and others remaining at the current level. The service connection for certain conditions is established, but not all claims were successful.

The Board has granted service connection for right hand degenerative arthritis and thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis with scoliosis, both rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was granted, with a current rating of 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's left knee disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent under the applicable diagnostic codes, as there was no evidence of instability or limitation of motion beyond what is contemplated by the current ratings.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by osteoarthritis with partial anterior cruciate ligament tear, is currently rated at 40 percent for the entire appeal period. The Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted as there is no evidence of more than slight instability or subluxation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical strain, bilateral hearing loss and sinusitis. The Veteran was granted service connection for depression, Type II diabetes mellitus, gastroesophageal reflux disease, osteoarthritis of the left knee and right knee, but his initial ratings were assigned at 10%, 20%, 0% and 0% respectively.

The Board has upheld the current rating of 10 percent for osteoarthritis and chondromalacia of the left knee, finding that it is properly compensated for the extent of functional loss resulting from symptoms like painful motion. The Veteran's flexion was limited to at most 120 degrees, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5260.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right knee disability and squamous cell carcinoma of the throat and lymph nodes. The issues are being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule VA examinations.,The Veteran contends that his squamous cell carcinoma of the throat and lymph nodes may be related to exposure to herbicides during service. Service records confirm his Vietnam service, but no specific Agent Orange exposure has been documented. The issue is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if there is any link between the cancer and military service.,The Veteran seeks an increased evaluation for his anxiety disorder. He testified that he experiences various symptoms including depression, fatigue, memory loss, and difficulty understanding complex commands. The issue is being remanded for a VA psychiatric examination.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of newly submitted evidence, including an X-ray report from 1994 showing hip arthritis.

The Veteran's lumbar muscle strain, tension headaches, and right shoulder Bankart/SAP repair with osteoarthritis have all been rated as noncompensable.,No higher ratings are warranted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and his bilateral Achilles tendonitis is also rated at 10 percent. Both conditions are not found to warrant a higher rating based on the current evidence of record.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, finding that it is due to an injury sustained during parachute jumps in service.

The Veteran's overuse syndrome of the left hand is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5216.,Special monthly compensation for loss of use of the left upper extremity is not warranted as his disability does not result in such a loss that would be equally well served by an amputation with prosthesis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.