Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's left hip disability, characterized as posterior hip fracture dislocation including the femoral head and acetabulum with cystic changes and avascular necrosis, is currently rated at 30 percent. The appeal has been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's eye disability and back disability did not manifest during service or are related to service. Therefore, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining workers' compensation records and scheduling VA examinations to address the relationship between his current knee and ankle disorders and his military service.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, and he is granted service connection for degenerative joint disease with osteoarthritis and meniscal tear of the left knee. The increased rating claim for the right knee was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular requirements for assignment of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is at least as likely as not caused by an in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration due to a lack of addressing certain evidence and lay statements in the original decision. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on all available evidence.

The Veteran's right knee disability, post-total knee replacement, is currently rated at 60 percent due to severe pain and weakness. The claim for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for lumbar spondylosis with degenerative arthritis was granted, and a separate 10 percent evaluation was assigned for right lower extremity neurological manifestations. The current rating of 40 percent for the lumbar spine disability is maintained.

The Veteran seeks service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right hip, which he claims is related to an in-service leg injury. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to missing service treatment records and other evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of low back and neck injuries, as well as his claim for prostate cancer. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chloracne was incurred during his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The right knee disability claim is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is found to be proximately due to his service-connected bilateral knee disorder, and thus granted as secondary service connection.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for his left elbow disability were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to March 13, 2006 and after that date.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, right and left knee disorders are all found to be related to service. The right and left knee disorders were aggravated by subsequent active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of cold weather injuries to the bilateral lower extremities was denied as there is no evidence that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The low back strain and left knee conditions are currently rated at 20% and 10%, respectively, while the right knee condition is not related to service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obesity, have rendered him unable to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, feed himself without assistance, attend to his wants of nature, or protect himself from the hazards of his environment. He is therefore in need of regular aid and attendance.