Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for major depressive disorder was withdrawn.

The Board remands the matter for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The veteran's left knee disability, including dislocation and degenerative arthritis, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for all issues, including the claims of service connection and increased ratings.

The veteran's claims for increased initial disability ratings and service connection were denied as the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection.

The veteran's right knee disability was rated at 10 percent for degenerative arthritis, but the Board granted a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right knee disability was remanded to obtain additional evidence and an updated VA examination.

The veteran's diabetes mellitus, lumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities were not found to warrant ratings in excess of those currently assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for right knee osteoarthritis and chondromalacia, as well as instability of the left knee.

The earliest effective date assignable for the veteran's grant of service connection for a back disorder is June 12, 2001, the date of receipt by VA of the veteran's claim to reopen.

The veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 10 percent effective August 26, 2003, for arthritis of the right shoulder.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including Type II Diabetes Mellitus, hypertension, chronic sinusitis, a skin condition, osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, thumbs, and knees, diverticulosis, and hiatal hernia and GERD, as none were found to be related to his military service or exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's residual scars, status post left knee arthroscopy are rated at 10 percent. The claim to reopen for a right knee disorder as secondary to the service-connected disability of residuals, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and partial lateral meniscectomy with degenerative arthritis of the left knee was granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's glaucoma preexisted her military service and was not aggravated by it. The veteran's bilateral foot disorder, including pes planus and plantar warts, is presumed to have been aggravated by her military service. The veteran's hypertension does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation. The veteran's left knee osteoarthritis does not warrant an initial disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent.,The veteran's preexisting bilateral foot disorder was aggravated during active military service.

The veteran's PTSD did not cause occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity, resulting in a denial of an initial rating in excess of 30 percent.

The appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining relevant records from the Social Security Administration.

The veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only was denied as the evidence did not show that he had service-connected disability resulting in loss of use of at least one foot or a hand, or permanent impairment of vision in both eyes.

The veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, degenerative arthritis of the lower extremities, and a low back disorder were denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen them. The claim for residuals of surgery to correct a left eye cataract was also denied as there is no medical evidence linking the current disability to his military service.

The veteran is entitled to an effective date of June 6, 2003, for the grant of service connection for bronchial asthma and folliculitis of the scalp. The claims for a rash on the hands and legs, as well as degenerative arthritis of the back, hands, and hips, were denied.

The appeal was denied for an increased rating greater than 50 percent for bilateral flat feet with recalcitrant plantar fasciitis and service connection for depression, but the claim for degenerative arthritis and herniated disc of the lumbar spine was reopened.