Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claim for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is denied as the condition did not manifest in or was not related to his active duty. The special monthly pension based on aid and attendance of another person is also denied due to lack of need.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board, with no compensable rating assigned for his bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the left knee was not incurred or aggravated by his active duty service. The Board found no competent medical evidence linking the current condition to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his torn medial meniscus, torn anterior cruciate ligament, osteochondral injury, and osteoarthritis of the right knee has been denied. The RO found that the disability did not warrant a compensable rating prior to December 13, 2006, or a rating in excess of 10 percent from that date.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities have been granted, with the right knee receiving a 30 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal of an April 2005 denial of the increased rating claim for service-connected rheumatoid arthritis is being remanded due to a need for clarification on whether his current degenerative arthritis is aggravated by his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board denied increased ratings for left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities, as well as entitlement to Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) prior to January 14, 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities have been increased to 20 percent effective June 29, 2004. He is still seeking higher initial ratings prior to that date.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine are not service-connected as they were not present during his period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).

The Board has determined that the reduction in evaluation of the service-connected post-lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis by x-ray from 20 percent to 10 percent was proper, as examination disclosed improvement and did not result in a reduction in overall compensation payments.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection, and reopening of a claim are all granted. The Veteran is awarded an increased rating for his gastroesophageal hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis, but the issues regarding his right foot disability and residuals of right hand injury remain pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the need for regular aid and attendance, but not housebound status. Special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and left knee disorders, finding new and material evidence. The VA will now review these claims de novo.

The Board found that the Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spine DDD are not related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including claw foot (pes cavus), peripheral vestibular disorder, edema, osteoarthritis, headaches, and chronic bronchitis. The decision is final as it was based on a prior denial in June 1962.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his knee and lumbosacral spine disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice and the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for various conditions are under review.

The Veteran's cervical spine and thoracic spine conditions have been granted a disability rating of 40 percent, effective as of the date of this decision. The lumbar spinal stenosis condition has also been granted a disability rating.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Codes 5260-5003. The appeal for an increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective from September 1, 2004. The Board has determined that the Veteran's radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities warrants separate 10 percent ratings.