Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected hip and knee conditions have not met the criteria for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as they do not demonstrate limitation of motion or other disabling symptoms warranting a higher rating.

The Board finds that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joints, bilaterally, is not proximately caused or aggravated by his service-connected right foot disability and was not incurred in service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for mechanical low back pain and cervical osteoarthritis have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under the amended spinal regulations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and for an earlier effective date for additional compensation benefits on account of his spouse. The veteran's current hearing loss was not shown to be related to his military service, and the RO found that proof of dependency did not meet the one-year deadline.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant records from SSA and VA medical centers.

The VA has determined that the veteran's right wrist osteoarthritis, which was initially characterized as a healed fracture, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected traumatic osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine renders him substantially confined to his home, meeting the criteria for special monthly compensation based on being housebound.

The Board has granted the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for residuals of osteomyelitis of the left knee and residuals of osteoarthritis of the right hip. The remaining issues on appeal will be remanded for further development.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the veteran's right hip osteoarthritis did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating before May 17, 2006.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the veteran's current knee and lumbar spine disabilities to his military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is presumed to have been incurred in service due to the one-year presumptive period following his separation from active duty.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral foot disability, currently rated at 30 percent, does not warrant a higher rating as there is no evidence of more than moderate functional impairment.

The Board denied the appellant's claims of entitlement to service connection for psychiatric disability and an initial compensable rating for osteoarthritis of the right shoulder, finding that there were no compelling circumstances warranting prolonged unauthorized absence during his first period of active duty.

The veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 60 percent effective March 15, 2004. Prior to this date, the disability warranted a rating of 20 percent.

The veteran's claim of service connection for a left knee disability is dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal (service connection) is already in effect with a 30 percent rating effective August 5, 2003.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for his low back strain, currently evaluated at 20 percent. The objective medical evidence did not show marked or severely limited motion or severe lumbar strain to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disability does not render him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment, and thus denies his claim for TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disorders, finding that the current conditions are not attributable to active military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate notice provided to the appellant regarding her DIC claim based on a previously service-connected condition.