Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a bunionectomy of the left great toe with degenerative arthritis do not warrant an increased rating beyond the current 10 percent evaluation.

The Board found that the appellant does not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance of another person or housebound status due to her disabilities.

The veteran's disabilities, including a total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, cervical spondylosis, degenerative arthritis of the knees, hemorrhoids, COPD, and glaucoma, meet the criteria for a combined rating of 70 percent. The veteran is therefore considered unemployable due to her disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran does not meet the criteria for need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status based on her ability to perform daily activities without significant assistance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability secondary to his right total knee arthroplasty and an increased evaluation for residuals of that surgery. The evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening the claim or for a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the right knee, left hip, and asthma have been denied. His claim for increased evaluation for residuals of a right knee injury has been granted to 10 percent.

The veteran's service-connected right knee disability, chronic headaches, and chronic sinusitis are rated at 10 percent each. The rating for mitral valve prolapse is also 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is being remanded due to an inextricably intertwined issue regarding service connection for radiculopathy and disc problems. The RO must adjudicate these issues before proceeding further.

The Board has determined that the claim is well-grounded and grants service connection for residuals of a right knee injury, finding it at least as likely as not related to active duty.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability evaluation in excess of 20 percent for osteoarthritis, lumbar spine.

The veteran's left leg gunshot wound residuals, traumatic osteoarthritis of the left ankle, degenerative arthritis of the left knee joint, and left knee instability are all rated at their maximum allowable evaluations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings, finding that his scars are noncompensably disabling and his left knee disability is currently evaluated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the spine, as well as an increased evaluation for thrombophlebitis of the left lower extremity, are not supported by evidence showing a plausible or substantiable claim. The veteran's conditions have been found to be unrelated to his military service.

The Board has determined that the initial ratings of 10% for both right and left knee disabilities are not warranted based on current evidence.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the left shoulder, effective July 3, 1997. The condition is rated based on muscle injury and arthritis affecting the non-dominant extremity.