Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2004

The Board has granted a 40 percent evaluation for the veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and a 20 percent evaluation for his right knee instability due to postoperative residuals of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficiency, effective from the date of the July 2002 rating decision.

The Board denied increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left knee and instability of the left knee, both currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board previously denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected sacroiliac sprain with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and spondylolisthesis at L4-L5. The Court has remanded the case to the Board for readjudication, including addressing the impact of pain on range of motion and applying new criteria for rating intervertebral disc syndrome.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and extent of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected low back disability, manifested by degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine with history of laminotomy, L4-L5, warrants a 10 percent rating since the effective date of service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbar spine injury with degenerative arthritis and osteophytosis is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, development of evidence regarding intervertebral disc syndrome, and consideration of extra-schedular or total disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The appellant's claim for an increased disability rating for his lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis will be reconsidered after all requested actions are completed.

The VA denied an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the right knee, finding that the condition is characterized by large periarticular osteophytes and extensive vascular calcifications but no limitation of motion or other disabling conditions. The current 10 percent disability rating adequately reflects the severity of the appellant's service-connected right knee disorder.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claims for service connection of a right shoulder condition and a right eye scotoma are not addressed in this decision. The claim for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the right knee is granted with a 10% evaluation, but it does not specify whether the issue pertains to the knee itself or another overlapping condition. The claim for service connection of right ulnar neuropathy with involvement at the elbow is also not addressed in this decision.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support the claim based on in-service injuries.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied, with the exception of a grant of service connection and a 10% rating for bilateral degenerative arthritis of the knees. The other conditions were not granted increased ratings.