Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip osteoarthritis, secondary to a gunshot wound to the buttock, was denied. His claim for an increased evaluation for PTSD with panic disorder was also denied by the RO in April 2008.

The Board has granted a 10 percent initial rating for the Veteran's right wrist fracture, effective from March 15, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability, including old moderate comminuted L1 fracture; disc disease at L1-2, L2-3, and L5-S1; osteoarthritis of the vertebrae, and degenerative changes of the facets, is a result of his period of active service. As such, service connection for these conditions has been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, and back conditions as secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder. The Veteran's depression claim was also denied.

The Veteran's depression is caused by his service-connected bilateral knee disorders. The claims for PTSD, a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.29, and for a higher initial evaluation of the right knee disorder are withdrawn.

The appellant is not recognized as the surviving spouse for VA death benefits purposes, and her claims for service connection for cause of death and DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, in and of themselves without regard to his age, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, including degenerative osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and lumbar strain, was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, directly or presumptively.

The Veteran's spouse is not in need of regular aid and attendance due to her various disabilities, as she can perform most self-care and activities of daily living with some assistance.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left shoulder and bilateral knee arthritis, finding no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating of his left knee disability was denied, and the right knee disability claim was also denied. The denial on both claims is due to lack of evidence supporting the requested ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including hearing loss, tinnitus, a chronic right shoulder disorder, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (claimed as a back condition), and PTSD or depression, are not service-connected. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was denied. The RO assigned a 20 percent evaluation effective October 6, 2006.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his current back disability is related to service, and denied the claim.

The Veteran's right hip disability is currently rated at 20 percent, effective March 22, 2005. The Board finds that the evidence supports a higher evaluation for his right hip disability.