Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2005

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied by the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including VA examinations and the provision of additional medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee, left knee, and lumbosacral spine disabilities. The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for residuals of rheumatic fever, but denied his claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee is being remanded due to requests for a hearing. The case will be handled by the RO.

The Board found that the veteran's right knee disability, characterized as post-traumatic arthritis and degenerative arthritis, is not associated with his active military service. The Board concluded that the most logical sequence of events was an injury during service followed by a more serious injury in the mid-1970s.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis does not warrant a schedular disability evaluation higher than the current 40 percent rating.

The Board has granted a 60 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, which is the maximum schedular rating available based on limitation of function as measured by range of motion.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his service-connected gout and any osteoarthritis.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to the RO for further development and consideration.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examination of his PTSD and left knee conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or on a finding that he is permanently housebound, as there was no evidence showing he needed constant help with daily needs such as bathing, dressing, or eating.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development and consideration of the veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a combined rating of more than 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.