Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2001

The veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection and increased evaluations for the veteran's claimed conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the spine and hips, a psychiatric disability, and residuals of a fractured skull. The decision found no clear and unmistakable error in these determinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disability prior to May 1, 1998.

The Board finds that the veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and thoracic spine are denied as there is no evidence to support a higher evaluation based on current symptoms.

The veteran's left knee disability, including his total knee replacement, is currently rated at 30 percent since November 1, 2000. The RO has not yet determined the appropriate evaluation for his pre-existing osteoarthritis prior to September 27, 1999.

The Board has granted an initial 10 percent evaluation for left leg length discrepancy due to total knee replacement, finding that the veteran's disability is more than just a continuation of his pre-existing severe osteoarthritis.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, left hand, and hips as these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran sustained a right shoulder injury in service and currently has residuals of this injury, which qualifies for service connection.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing the veteran with secondary service connection regulations.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The RO requested additional medical records to support the veteran's claims.

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that it meets the criteria for such an evaluation based on severe functional impairment. The claim for increased rating for osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine is denied as there are no findings indicative of pronounced intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities and denied retroactive payment of clothing allowance benefits prior to August 1, 1997.

The Board denied reopening of the veteran's claims for osteoarthritis, residuals of frostbite, and hypertension due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right knee disability, characterized by osteoarthritis with limitation of motion but without subluxation or lateral instability, warrants a 20 percent rating.

The appellant is permanently and totally disabled due to his psychiatric condition, resulting in moderate occupational impairment, and several permanent disabilities that render him unable to work. A permanent and total disability rating for nonservice-connected pension purposes has been granted.