Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The veteran's left knee disability was increased to a 40 percent rating effective October 6, 2004. His right hip disability was also increased to a 30 percent rating effective the same date.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right knee osteoarthritis was rated at 20 percent prior to December 15, 2004, and the status/post total right knee replacement is currently rated at 30 percent since February 1, 2006.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the veteran's service-connected disorders may be aggravating his hypertension.

The Board has denied service connection for ligamentous laxity of the MCP joint of the right thumb and residuals of a left knee injury. Service connection is necessary for examination for osteoarthritis of the right knee, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knee disabilities were denied. The RO found that the current evaluations adequately reflected the severity of the veteran's conditions.

The veteran's cervical spine disability, which was initially granted service connection for in March 2003, is currently manifested by pain and slight limitation of motion. The Board found that the evidence did not demonstrate functional loss due to flare-ups or during use, thus denying an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied an increased rating for left knee instability, a separate compensable disability rating for left knee surgical scars, and a separate 10 percent rating for arthritis with pain on motion of the left knee. The veteran's current 20 percent evaluation for left knee instability is maintained.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine if the appellant meets the criteria for special monthly death pension based on need for regular aid and attendance (A&A), and providing proper VCAA notice regarding her income limitations.

The veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability was initially rated at 10 percent and increased to 20 percent effective March 19, 2008. The claim for uterine fibroids resulted in a noncompensable rating. The cervical spine disability warranted a separate 10 percent evaluation for right L4-5 radiculopathy. No higher evaluations were granted for the other service-connected conditions.

The veteran's chronic lumbrosacral strain myostitis, major depression, diabetes mellitus type II (DM), status post left wrist fracture, status post right wrist facture, and left knee osteoarthritis prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted service connection for left wrist tendonitis and left ankle disability, but denied service connection for right hand condition, right ankle condition (undiagnosed illness), bilateral knee osteoarthritis, and bilateral hip or foot conditions.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation of his osteoarthritis of the left knee, residuals of a left upper one-third tibial stress fracture, as there is no evidence of malunion of the tibia and fibula with moderate knee or ankle disability.

The veteran's claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and attempting to locate service medical records. The appeal is not about service connection at all.

The Board denied service connection for a left arm disability and denied the claim for an increased rating for rhinitis. The veteran's left arm and shoulder issues were not found to be related to his military service.

The veteran's right knee disabilities, including arthritis and ligament laxity, are currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or functional loss.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow, right leg, right knee, and right foot disorders. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and military service.

The Board denied the claim to reopen service connection for residuals of a bayonet wound of the left hip due to lack of new and material evidence.,Service connection was not granted for renal calculus, right eye disability, or osteoarthritis as there is no evidence showing these conditions were incurred in service.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation for degenerative joint disease, left knee or arthritis, right wrist. The claim for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his osteoarthritis of the left knee is no more than 10 percent disabling and his bilateral hearing loss disability does not warrant a higher rating. The issues regarding service connection were also denied as there was insufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between any claimed conditions and service.