Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for increased ratings for his lumbar spine disorder is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice regarding effective dates and potential need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied all service connection claims, finding no evidence of a current disability related to the veteran's period of service. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 was also denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a travel Board hearing and proper VCAA notice.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development at the RO level.

The Board denied an increased disability rating in excess of 40 percent for cervical intervertebral disc syndrome, postoperative residuals and service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral shoulders.

The veteran's claims for service connection for schizoaffective disorder, and initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right hip and knee were denied. The effective date claim was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and a VA medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed to his death.

The veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, rated at 20 percent since June 3, 1991, are granted an effective date of February 2, 1998.

The Board found that the appellant's decreased vision does not meet the VA standards for aid and attendance, as his visual acuity is not 5/200 or less in both eyes. The appellant was also not legally blind based on corrected vision measurements provided by medical records.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection of a left shoulder disability and an earlier effective date for his lumbar spine disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The VA determined that the veteran's osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine does not warrant a higher evaluation, as it is currently rated at 40 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip disability, coccyx disability, and right knee cold weather injury. The evidence did not establish a current disability or show that any of these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from 1971 to 1991 and arranging for a VA examination.