Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's physical impairment due to his nonservice-connected conditions requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from the hazards of daily environment, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected left great toenail deformity, left foot degenerative arthritis of the left great toe and hammertoe, and left ankle strain have all been granted at their current non-compensable evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal for an extension of the temporary total evaluation assigned for a period of convalescence from left hip surgery beyond August 31, 2010 is denied. The Veteran was granted a temporary total rating from June 28, 2010 through August 31, 2010 and has been assigned a 100 percent rating continuously since then.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not cause or aggravate his claimed conditions, and the Board finds no evidence of a nexus between his service-connected right femur fracture residuals and either condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's cervical spine condition is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disability and his active duty service or any service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability is manifested by pain, limitation of motion, tenderness, and objective evidence of arthritis. The Board finds that the current 20 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected bilateral shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his knee and shoulder conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been granted.,Service connection for a left knee disability has been established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability did not have its onset in service, within one year of service, or is otherwise related to his military service. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a left knee disability is denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right knee osteoarthritis, hypertension, cervical and lumbar spine arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and stenosis are related to service exposure to herbicides. The claims for service connection are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient by themselves to render him unable to secure or follow any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background, leading to a grant of TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vertigo and left shoulder disorder are secondary to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder disability, respectively. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disorder, thoracic and lumbar spine disorders, and left knee osteoarthritis, status post left knee replacement. The Veteran's claims are now ready for further action.

The Board finds that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine is not related to his service and denies the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and records, as well as for further development of the claims. The primary issues are an increased rating for his back disability, service connection for a bilateral knee condition, and TDIU.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right foot and ankle disability. The Board has determined that the current examination report is not responsive to the remand directives, necessitating further development.

The Veteran's service-connected low back strain, osteoarthritis of the left foot and right foot, and painful scar, dorsal aspect of the left great toe have been granted increased evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection on the lumbar spine arthritis was withdrawn. The Board found that there is no evidence of a left knee disability in service or within one year after separation, and thus denied service connection for a left knee disability.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability and granted service connection for a right shoulder rotator cuff tear with tendinopathy.,Service connection was also granted for a right knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's lumbar strain disability with degenerative arthritis was rated at 10 percent for the initial rating period from April 25, 2007 to December 13, 2010.