Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2001

The Board granted service connection for androgenic alopecia, but denied the remaining claims. The veteran's left bunionectomy with osteoarthritis is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, while his right ear hearing loss is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral foot disability is secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities and grants this claim.

The veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection were partially granted, with a 20% rating assigned for the left knee disability from October 17, 1995 onwards. The right hip disability was not addressed due to lack of evidence or withdrawal by the veteran.

The Board has denied the claim for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints, finding no competent evidence establishing a relationship between the service-connected right knee disability and the subsequent development of arthritis in multiple joints.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability, including osteoarthritis. The veteran testified about her symptoms during service and after separation, as well as recent treatment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current right knee, right ankle, and low back disabilities did not originate in service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a left lateral meniscectomy warrant a 30 percent rating, effective October 17, 1997. A separate 10 percent rating for osteoarthritis is also granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right hip disorder, including degenerative arthritis and old Legg-Perthes disease due to lack of new and material evidence. The appeal is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disorder, including residuals of spinal meningitis. The evidence submitted since the last denial did not provide new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for his service-connected right ankle fracture, currently rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's claim for service connection for back, hip and knee disabilities is being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical evidence and consider whether there are any outstanding service medical records.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of June 26, 2001 for separate 10% evaluations for osteoarthritis with limitation of motion in both knees. This was based on the submission of new and material evidence to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for arthritis.

The veteran's right ankle disability did not require a period of convalescence beyond July 1, 2000 due to his March 2000 surgical procedure.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and recognition as a former prisoner of war, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted in support of these claims.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute substantially to his death, which was attributed to cor pulmonale due to COPD and osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine.