Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining service treatment records and SSA disability benefits records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for VCAA notice regarding applicable diagnostic criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, her claim for a temporary total rating based on hospitalization is denied as she does not have basic eligibility for that benefit.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations for lumbar degenerative arthritis was denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation from April 20, 2001 to February 25, 2005.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of his low back disorder, finding no evidence to support a link between his current conditions and his active service. The left knee condition was also not found to be related to service.

The Board denied increased ratings for the service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and sinusitis, finding that the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's cervical and lumbar spine disabilities have been granted service connection, with a 10 percent rating effective from April 4, 2002. The bilateral elbow disability claim was denied.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for reinstatement of a 10 percent disability evaluation for his service-connected osteomalacia of the right knee with Osgood Schlatter and degenerative osteoarthritis, effective from February 1, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to clarify the nature and severity of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board is remanding the Veteran's claims for service connection due to missing service records and requests for additional evidence.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for further examination. The issue will be adjudicated under the theory of direct service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee conditions are proximately due to his service-connected bilateral pes planus, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran does not have tendonitis of the right arm, wrist, or elbow that is related to active duty service. Osteoarthritis was also not shown within a year of discharge from active service.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is found to be aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability. His hypertension, however, was not incurred or aggravated in active service and is unrelated to his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status due to his non-service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of whether separate ratings are warranted given the medical evidence. The claim will be readjudicated, considering extraschedular considerations if appropriate.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability, characterized by recurrent strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, is currently rated at 40 percent. The Board has determined that a higher rating of 60 percent is warranted for the period from September 23, 2002, based on more severe symptoms including persistent sciatic neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of current bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, a chronic right shoulder disability, or an increase in the evaluation for his right ankle fracture with osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for increased ratings were not substantiated by the evidence of record.