Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the conditions listed, including low back disability, left ankle sprain, eye disorder (other than conjunctivitis), bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, chronic lung disorder (PPD positive), gastrointestinal disorder (indigestion or gastritis), prostatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, bronchopneumonia, peptic ulcer disease, ischemic heart disease and hypertensive cardiovascular disease with angina, diabetes mellitus, acute pyelonephritis, liver condition, Bell's palsy with facial numbness, dengue hemorrhagic fever, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that the veteran is entitled to service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right elbow due to a presumption based on its onset within one year of separation from active duty. The other conditions are not granted as service connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and adjudication, including obtaining updated treatment records from the San Juan VA Medical Center, requesting medical records from Dr. Edhevarria, and scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining SSA records and a VA examination to determine if the veteran's hip and lumbosacral spine disabilities are related to service or secondary to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's death was not caused by, or substantially or materially contributed to by, a disability incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The appellant's claims for DIC under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 and accrued benefits have also been denied.

The VA denied an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine since August 2, 1996.

The Board found no evidence of a left knee disability during service and denied the veteran's claim for service connection, concluding that any current left knee disability is not related to his military service.

The appellant's claim for a higher initial level of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for special aid and attendance or a higher level of care was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC under any provision.

The veteran's claims of service connection for peptic ulcer disease, bronchial asthma, pulmonary tuberculosis, peripheral neuropathy, osteoarthritis and avitaminosis are remanded due to the need for a statement of the case.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee with resulting total knee replacement, finding that it is proximately due to or aggravated by the veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of dental trauma to the two front teeth (tooth numbers 8 and 9) was denied as his service treatment records do not document dental trauma, he did not file a timely application for treatment within one year of discharge from service, and there is no evidence that his condition was incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current knee conditions are related to service, and thus grants service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and right knee osteoarthritis.

The veteran seeks service connection for a spine fracture and osteoarthritis, but the claim is being remanded due to insufficient evidence in his service record.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the veteran's service-connected right knee arthroscopy, low back strain with degenerative changes, and left ankle arthritis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, including metatarsalgia with calcaneal spurs and osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joints, was denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound status is granted as of July 1, 2006. The earlier effective date request for July 29, 2004 is denied.

The Board denied service connection for hypertensive heart disease and polyarthritis. The veteran's claims were subsequently denied by the RO, with no appeal submitted within one year of the denial.

The Board has granted the temporary total evaluations for surgeries related to service-connected residuals of fracture of the right arm. The claim for increased rating for chronic low back pain with degenerative arthritis is remanded.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability secondary to his service-connected right knee disability.,However, the Board found no evidence of a current back disability and thus denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability secondary to his right knee disability.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left shoulder and cervical spine disabilities are not rated higher than the current 10 percent evaluations.,Service connection was granted for a peri-anal abscess, to include hemorrhoids.