Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for service-connected right and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the right hand is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a new examination.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the thoracic and lumbar spine with kyphosis is found to be related to his period of active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right and left shoulder osteoarthritis, bilateral pes planus, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Board has determined that the appellant is essentially so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance by another person, based on her physical disabilities including leg pain, loss of balance, deafness, vision loss, heart problems, arthritis, a thyroid disorder, constipation, stomach and pack pain, and fatigue. As such, the criteria for special monthly pension (SMP) are met.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a Travel Board hearing. The claims of service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee and lateral meniscus tear and chondromalacia of the right knee are still pending, as is the claim for service connection for shoulder disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left knee disorders are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during or within one year after service. The VA examiner found no link between the Veteran's in-service injury and his current diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected gunshot wound residuals of the right knee with osteoarthritis are currently rated at 30 percent for the period from December 11, 2006 - May 22, 2007. For the earlier periods, his disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining the current severity of his service-connected right knee condition. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is also raised.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to determine his employability based on his service-connected disabilities, as well as consideration of other relevant factors such as his educational background and past employment history.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the right and left knees were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis, left great toe osteoarthritis with hallux valgus deformity, and allergic rhinitis have been granted. However, the evaluations for these conditions remain at zero percent.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it is likely related to an in-service injury.

The Board found that the Veteran did not timely file a substantive appeal regarding his disagreement with the initial evaluations assigned for service-connected depression, bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, and degenerative arthritis of the low back. As such, the appeal was dismissed.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities combine to make him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's spine and knee disabilities were evaluated, but the claims for higher ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder had its onset during active service and is related to his military duties, granting service connection for lumbosacral spine degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease at L5- S1.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records, as well as consideration of whether TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16 is warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate examination for rating purposes and the need for additional development of his right hand disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right leg disability, heart disability, and degenerative arthritis of the right knee were denied. The claim for increased rating for superficial scar was also denied.