Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's right great toe disability has been rated at 10 percent since August 2002. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects his symptoms and denied a higher rating.

The Veteran's current disabilities are not due to the 1989 motorcycle accident, which occurred outside of VA care and treatment.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees have been denied as there is no evidence of limitation of motion or instability that would warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected right hip and knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each since November 18, 2005. The issue of a 10 percent rating for multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities is moot.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, including as secondary to his service-connected shell fragment wounds of the feet and/or left knee, are being remanded due to scheduling error.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied as his disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 30 percent and his left knee replacement is effective September 11, 2007. The Veteran was granted service connection for the left knee replacement but denied a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities not preventing him from securing or following all substantially gainful occupations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the spine, PTSD, and residuals of shrapnel wounds to the left upper thigh, substantially or materially contributed to his death from an automobile accident.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for a left knee disorder is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and notification.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis, left knee was granted. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a low back disability was also granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain VA treatment records from various facilities.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right adductor muscle tear is service-connected and an effective date of January 1991 for this grant of service connection has been granted. The issue of entitlement to service connection for osteoarthritis of the hands (bilateral) remains unresolved.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to October 30, 1989 for service connection and a compensable rating for his right foot disability. The RO must issue an SOC regarding these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, vision, or ankylosis of knees or hips. Therefore, the criteria for VA financial assistance are not met.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to confirm any periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), which may affect the appellant's claims for service connection. The case is REMANDED for these purposes.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar and cervical spine was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor is it proximately due to or chronically worsened by his service-connected residuals of a right foot fracture.

The Board finds that the reduction of the Veteran's rating for osteoarthritis of the right ankle from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper based on medical evidence showing normal range of motion.

The Board denied the claim for an effective date earlier than September 27, 2004 for the awards of service connection for chronic sciatica with L2-L3 radiculopathy and cervical degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee is secondary to his service-connected status post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with traumatic arthritis of the left knee.