Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left hip and knee, both claimed as secondary to a service-connected gunshot wound of the left tibia with traumatic arthritis of the ankle. The August 1997 rating decision remains final.

The veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected right fifth finger disability was denied by the RO.

The VA has determined that the veteran's service-connected left femoral shaft fracture does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as it is currently well-healed and does not cause more than slight knee disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar and cervical spines, third degree burn scars of the left hand, forearm, and flank, as well as second degree burn scars. The effective dates for these decisions are not specified.

The Board found that the veteran's claim of service connection for mild scoliosis of the thoracic spine with mild osteoarthritis was not well grounded and denied it.

The Board granted an initial rating of 50 percent for the veteran's head injury with residual headaches and denied a compensable rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine prior to February 2000. The claim for service connection for bilateral degenerative joint disease of the knees remains on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral osteoarthritis of the hips and knees due to a lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and proper rating assignments for his right knee injury, osteoarthritis of the right knee, and right foot disorder with ankle problems.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or by virtue of being housebound due to his nonservice-connected disabilities, including a screw erosion of the left hip and other physical conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee disability and hypertension with headaches, finding that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of his conditions.

The Board found no competent evidence linking the veteran's current back disorders to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for back disability, and thus the claim is well grounded. The underlying merits of the claim are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right and left ankles do not warrant a higher evaluation based on current medical evidence.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for chondromalacia of the right knee with osteoarthritis since September 30, 1993. A separate 10 percent evaluation is also granted for right knee osteoarthritis since June 7, 1996.

The Board has determined that the claims of entitlement to service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, COPD, and bilateral retinal detachment are not well grounded. The claim of entitlement to service connection for cataracts is well grounded.