Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2000

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected left knee disability, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with facet joint arthropathy was incurred in active service, and granted his claim for service connection.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension at the housebound rate was denied as his chronic disabilities did not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability related to the veteran's service, and thus his claims for multiple joint pain, residuals of right hand injury, bilateral leg disability, osteoarthritis of the right elbow, and stomach problems are not well-grounded.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle arthritis is related to his in-service injury, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The claim of service connection for poor circulation in both legs is not well-grounded as there is no competent evidence linking it to service. The claim of service connection for bilateral pes planus is also not well-grounded due to the preexisting nature of the disorder.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeal because his substantive appeal was not timely filed.

The Board has granted service connection for post-traumatic osteoarthritis. The veteran's claims of service connection for ischemic heart disease due to beri-beri and PTSD are pending.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound of muscle group III of the left shoulder with secondary osteoarthritis, finding that his current symptoms are consistent with severe disability.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease with sciatica and osteoarthritis lumbosacral spine is rated at 20 percent, while his service-connected migraine headaches are rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further examination and development of the claim, including obtaining medical records and arranging for an orthopedic and neurologic examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to an increased rating for periostitis, finding that the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The VA has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right hip, which is currently rated as 30 percent disabling.

The Board found that the veteran's left knee arthritis and DDD of the lumbar spine are not proximately due to, the result of, or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle fracture.

The Board granted entitlement to an increased evaluation of 20 percent for the left knee disability effective from January 17, 1996; and affirmed the previous evaluations as to the left knee disability. The right shoulder impingement syndrome remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left foot and bilateral flat feet are well-grounded. The claim for osteoarthritis of the left foot is granted, while the claim for bilateral flat feet remains not well-grounded.