Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disorders, finding that the medical evidence does not support such a relationship.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease of the right knee and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected seronegative polyarthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, knees, hands, and shoulders is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and an examination.

The Board found that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status due to her mobility and independence.

The Board has determined that the appellant does not meet the criteria for increased DIC benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a Travel Board hearing.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to comply with the Court's June 2004 decision, which found that VA had failed to provide proper notice. Additional development is needed for compliance with VA's duty to assist and notify.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the right hip, knee, and ankle. The Veteran's pre-existing right hip disorder was not aggravated by his military service.

Service connection has been granted for post-traumatic degenerative arthritis of the right ankle and lumbar spine chronic muscular strain. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings and an earlier effective date for these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary prior to the adjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of examination addressing both secondary service connection issues. The case is REMANDED for further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left knee was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred within one year following his discharge. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's claims for lumbar degenerative disc disease, neck pain, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus were denied. Service connection was granted for a distorted left great toenail with an initial evaluation of 0 percent effective January 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and degenerative joint disease of the right knee have been denied as there is no evidence of arthritis or chronic residuals of influenza in service, and any current conditions are not otherwise etiologically related to such service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The issues of service connection for PTSD, scars of the groin as residuals of fungal infection, myositis, degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, appendectomy scar, and diabetes mellitus with complications are addressed in the Remand portion.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee. The issues of service connection for depression and coronary artery disease with history of myocardial infarction are also addressed, but not decided on this remand.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to an increase in severity of his service-connected right elbow degenerative arthritis, and a new examination is required to assess the current level of disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disability, hearing loss, right knee disability, osteoarthritis of the hips, left hand disability, flat feet, and depression. The evidence submitted did not provide a link between these conditions and service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis was not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for postoperative residuals of a right knee injury with internal derangement, status post menisectomy with tendon transfer was granted.,A separate initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for severe osteoarthritis of the right knee with decreased range of motion on extension and chronic pain prior to April 5, 2008 was granted.,An increased evaluation in excess of 40 percent for severe osteoarthritis of the right knee with decreased range of motion on extension and chronic pain from April 5, 2008 was granted.