Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right shoulder and cervical spine disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that his conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to cold injury in service and denied all claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining the credentials of examiners and co-signers of the VA examinations.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The veteran's combined evaluation of 60 percent does not meet the criteria for a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities alone.

The veteran seeks a current evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected right knee osteoarthritis, which has been rated at 30 percent since June 2, 2005. The RO must reassess the severity of his disability and determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities do not warrant an increased evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's right hip disability, which includes chronic bursitis and osteoarthritis, is currently rated at 30 percent under DCs 5019-5252. The RO has not provided a higher rating for this condition.

The Board found that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee is not etiologically related to his service-connected gunshot wound residuals and denied a separate compensable disability rating for this condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for chondromalacia of the right patella and osteoarthritis is being remanded due to scheduling issues.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, chondromalacia of the right knee, and chondromalacia of the left knee were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board found that the veteran's left ankle disability, claimed as osteoarthritis of the left ankle, was not incurred or related to service and denied his claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current manifestations of these conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a neck disorder and bilateral shoulder disorder, finding that she does not have current diagnoses of these conditions.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected degenerative arthritis, low back strain. The disability is currently rated at 10 percent under the old criteria.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the veteran's current right knee disorders are related to his service, and thus remands the case for further examination and medical opinion.

The VA has determined that the veteran's residuals of degenerative arthritis, status post left knee replacement and medial meniscectomy do not warrant a higher rating than 30 percent.