Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The veteran's request for a special home adaptation grant was denied, and the appeal regarding the January 2005 grant of special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination to determine if the veteran's current left knee disability is related to his service.

The VA has granted a temporary evaluation of 100 percent for the service-connected residuals of a right wrist fracture due to convalescence, and then reassigned an evaluation of 10 percent effective October 1, 2006. The veteran's disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for further development, including addressing his claim of service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the shoulders as secondary to a service-connected cervical fusion with degenerative joint disease. The TDIU claim is also deferred pending resolution of the secondary service connection issue.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for BPH, hypertension, osteoarthritis, and PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure.

The veteran's left knee scar and osteoarthritis of the left knee were both denied, but his claim to reopen service connection for osteoarthritis was granted. The evaluation for the left knee scar remains noncompensable.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine as a residual of a spinal contusion/abrasion is not productive of pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome, incapacitating episodes, or unfavorable ankylosis. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for a higher initial evaluation.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an opinion regarding whether the significant osteoarthritis of the right first metatarsophalangeal joint is proximately due to or the result of the service-connected right foot fractures.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, anemia, and osteoarthritis as there was no evidence of these conditions in service or within one year after service.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension by reason of being in need of regular aid and attendance or housebound.

The veteran's schizophrenia was granted service connection, but his back conditions, hypertension, kidney condition, sinusitis, and bilateral foot condition were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for healed fracture of the left wrist with osteoarthritis is denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis, which would warrant a higher rating. The claims for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were withdrawn by the veteran's representative prior to the decision.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's neurogenic bladder and lumbar spine conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to July 12, 1995, and that the current evaluation of 40 percent was appropriate as of that date.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pre-existing bilateral pes planus was aggravated by service, and his low back strain with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and chronic left knee strain with osteoarthritis were incurred in service.,Service connection is granted for all three conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and those secondary to radiation exposure. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher initial disability rating for his service-connected left knee disorder, finding that the evidence did not support such ratings.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective from December 1, 2001. The TDIU was also granted effective May 8, 2000.

The Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability prior to March 7, 2007. The veteran was previously rated at 20 percent and now receives an increase to 40 percent effective from April 12, 2005.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination and issuance of a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his right knee conditions did not warrant higher ratings or service connection based on the evidence of record.