Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2001

The veteran's claim for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptations is denied because he does not meet the criteria for such benefits under the law.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluation of right knee osteoarthritis and service connection for left knee disorder and back disability secondary to right knee disability. The RO found that no higher rating was warranted based on the evidence.

The Board denied increased ratings for osteoarthritis/synovitis in the right knee and mild instability in the right knee, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect the veteran's disability.

The veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability was increased to a 10 percent rating effective July 7, 2000.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings of his left knee and right thumb disabilities were denied as the current evaluations are already at their maximum allowable under VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed spinal disabilities are related to his active military service, granting service connection for osteoarthritis and degenerative joint disease of the cervical spine and osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his left wrist disorder was granted, with a 10 percent evaluation. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant further referral for consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's currently diagnosed lumbar strain with pain and osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine is not related to his period of active military service. The Board also found no evidence of PTSD in the record.

The VA has determined that the veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine warrants a 20 percent rating, effective from October 1996. The disability is currently rated as moderate and does not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities became so severe that he was unable to work, qualifying him for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability as of January 6, 1999.

The veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 10 percent for moderate limitation of motion, and no higher rating is warranted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, characterized by limited motion and severe arthritis, warrants a 20 percent rating.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right hip, back strain, and right elbow disabilities were denied. The RO found that the current evaluations adequately reflected the severity of these conditions.

The VA has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the veteran's osteoarthritis and disc degeneration of the lumbar spine, which is currently rated under Diagnostic Code 5293 (intervertebral disc syndrome).

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical spine and lumbosacral strain disabilities were denied, but he was granted compensable ratings effective March 13, 1993, and January 4, 1997.