Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his osteoarthritis of the left knee, as it is currently rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or pain.

The case is being remanded to the RO for review of new evidence, and then it will be returned to the Board for further consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his right ankle disability and service connection for cellulitis of the left foot with non-healing wound and ulcer. The right ankle disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied reopening of the veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, finding no new and material evidence to support these claims.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for chondromalacia and osteoarthritis of the left knee, and also for the right knee. These ratings are effective as of the date of the decision.

The veteran's right knee disability, characterized as osteoarthritis and meniscal injury, was rated at 20 percent effective July 2, 2001. The RO denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings prior to that date.

The VA has granted a 20 percent evaluation for osteoarthritis of the left knee, effective August 31, 2000. The veteran's disability is currently rated as moderate.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis of the left knee, right knee, and lumbar spine. The conditions are currently rated at 10 percent each.

The Board found no evidence of a right hip, knee, or low back injury during service and insufficient post-service medical evidence to establish continuity of symptoms. The veteran's claims for these conditions were denied as they are not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disability.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for the service-connected low back disability on and after January 15, 2003. The veteran's right knee arthritis is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a certificate of eligibility for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment, or adaptive equipment only.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected hypertension does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation, as his blood pressure readings were consistently below the threshold required for an increased rating. For degenerative arthritis of the right great toe, the evidence showed x-ray findings consistent with moderate disability but no use of medication or other treatment. The Board determined that these conditions did not warrant a higher initial evaluation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and consideration of staged ratings.

The Board found that the veteran's medical conditions did not meet the criteria for aid and attendance benefits, leading to their termination as of May 31, 2001.

The veteran was granted a TDIU with a 60% evaluation for his cervical spine disorder, effective January 23, 1999. The Board is now considering whether an earlier effective date prior to this date should be assigned.

The veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his knee conditions and determine their etiology.

The veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need for compliance with VCAA notice requirements.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development of her claims for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain and the reopening of her claim for service connection for a pineal gland tumor. The RO must schedule a hearing, obtain medical records, and conduct an examination before proceeding with further adjudication.

The VA has granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine with lumbosacral strain, effective from the date of the May 1993 decision.

The Board has granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the left hip and left greater trochanteric bursitis as residuals of a left hip contusion, effective from when the appeal was filed.