Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The claim to reopen a right shoulder disability was also denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and earlier effective dates, finding that the criteria were not met for higher ratings or earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's low back strain is not productive of incapacitating episodes or significant limitation of motion, and thus does not warrant a higher rating. The TDIU claim was also denied as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran seeks service connection for degenerative osteoarthritis of the right knee, which he claims is related to a fall during active duty in March/April 1952. The Board has ordered additional development including obtaining medical records and arranging for an examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right foot disorders and depression are granted, while the claim for glaucoma is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's heart disability, to include hypertensive heart disease and hypertension, and degenerative arthritis of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine were incurred during his active service. Therefore, these conditions are granted as service connected.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee is attributable to service and was granted service connection. The claims for anal fissures, hemorrhoids, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus are pending.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees, which he contends is related to his service-connected post-traumatic degenerative arthritis of the left ankle and foot with calcaneal spurring. The Board finds that additional records are needed to determine if there was an in-service knee injury.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities are currently rated as 10 percent disabling each. The Board has determined that the claims for increased ratings should be addressed by bifurcating them into two separate issues.

The Veteran is over the age of 65 and has a combined non-service-connected disability rating of 90 percent, meeting the criteria for special monthly pension based on housebound status.

The Board found no evidence of a left foot disorder in service or for many years thereafter, and concluded that the Veteran's current left foot disorders are not related to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and osteoarthritis now claimed as degenerative arthritis, finding that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the latter claim. The Board also found that there was no evidence of a current disability or a relationship between any diagnosed condition and service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's partial right hamstring tear, proximal ischial ramus was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, as the Veteran's disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on range of motion or other disabling symptoms.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against finding that degenerative arthritis of the bilateral knees manifested during a period of active duty for training, and thus service connection cannot be granted.