Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's current left shoulder disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, is not attributable to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a compensable rating for cysts were denied. The left hip osteoarthritis was rated at 10 percent, the right hip osteoarthritis (postoperatively) at 30 percent, and restrictive airway disease with bronchitis was not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disabilities, including patellar chondromalacia and osteoarthritis of the patellofemoral joint, were permanently aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. As a result, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for residuals of a fracture of the left distal fibula, right sacroiliitis, and left sacroiliitis were denied.,For degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, the Veteran was granted an initial rating of 10 percent from September 17, 2003 through March 2, 2008. A higher rating is not warranted for this condition during any period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine and right knee arthritis were denied.,Service connection was granted for irritable bowel syndrome, but a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 4, 2007 was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is not related to service or his service-connected right knee disability, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected right leg injuries have been granted increased ratings, and he is now eligible for a 10 percent rating for the residuals of gunshot wounds to the right medial thigh. Service connection has also been established for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis and bilateral hearing loss were not rated higher than noncompensable, as the evidence did not support a finding of more severe impairment.

The Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the left hip is not related to active service.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis, left knee, postoperative and whether it is proximately due to or permanently aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the appellant's osteoarthritis of the left knee, back (lumbar spine), and left ankle are proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right knee disability. Therefore, these conditions have been granted as secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected pilonidal sinus did not cause or aggravate his claimed low back disability, and therefore denied both claims for service connection.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development, including obtaining STRs and a medical opinion regarding whether cold injury residuals from service contributed to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative changes are currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence shows that his symptoms have worsened and he now has a more severe disability. The Board finds an increased rating of 20 percent is warranted.

The Board has found that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis was chronically worsened by his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants the claim for secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle disorder is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. The earlier effective date issue remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected osteoarthritis of the right and left knees, both currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant is not in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound, thus denying her claims for special monthly pension benefits on those grounds. However, she was granted special monthly pension benefits based on being housebound.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and there is no in-service diagnosis or treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. The Veteran's osteoarthritis was noted during service, but it did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to lack of continuity of symptoms after discharge.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of both knees is service-connected, resolving all reasonable doubt in his favor.