Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2004

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative osteoarthritis of the left ankle and assigned a 10 percent disability rating, effective October 29, 2001.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the veteran's residuals of right medial malleolus fracture with internal fixation. Regarding his cervical spine disorder, the evidence is in equipoise and thus favorable to granting service connection.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a cardiovascular disability and is remanding the case to further develop the record, including obtaining missing service medical records and considering new evidence. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, degenerative arthritis of both hands, and kidney disorder are also being remanded.

The veteran requested withdrawals of his appeals for service connection on multiple issues, including penetrating keratoplasty of the left eye, herpes zoster, and fatigue due to an undiagnosed illness. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and his claim for service connection for a neck disability secondary to the bilateral knee disabilities due to incomplete examination records, need for additional development of medical evidence, and VCAA compliance.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his disability.

The Board found that the veteran's current hearing loss and right shoulder disability are not related to his service, thus denying these claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's combined service-connected disabilities meet the criteria for a TDIU, granting his claim.

The Board has determined that the VA's notification and assistance requirements under the VCAA have not been fully met, necessitating a remand for further action.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling him for VA examinations to assess the severity of his left ankle disorder and residuals of a laceration to the left palm.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA medical examination and obtaining updated treatment records.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical and dorsal spine disabilities are being remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with VCAA requirements and to consider issues on appeal, including a possible extra-schedular disability rating based on impairment resulting from the veteran's right ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical records and inadequate VCAA notice.

The veteran is disabled due to multiple conditions and requires regular aid and attendance, qualifying for special monthly pension benefits.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound is remanded due to unclear findings regarding his ability to care for himself and protect himself from daily hazards.