Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's left knee disability is manifested by pain, slightly limited motion, and difficulty with stairs and squatting. However, there is no objective evidence of flexion limited to 30 degrees or less; extension limited to 10 degrees or more; recurrent subluxation or objective evidence of lateral instability; dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent locking, pain or effusion into the joint; or impairment of the tibia or fibula. Therefore, a disability rating greater than 10 percent is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to incomplete development and the need for additional examinations.

Service connection granted for osteoarthritis of the left wrist (non-dominant) and right wrist (dominant). Effective dates assigned.,Increased rating granted for PTSD.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was initially rated as noncompensable prior to May 17, 2011. From May 17, 2011 to March 1, 2013, a compensable rating (10%) was granted. After September 1, 2013, the Veteran's condition warranted a higher rating of at least 20%.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee. The case has been remanded due to additional evidence submitted by the Veteran's spouse.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU has been remanded due to insufficient consideration of his education, training, and work history in relation to his service-connected disabilities. The case is now pending further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not caused or aggravated by any disease, injury, or event in active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating due to new evidence and a need for updated VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board grants his claim for a TDIU.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to January 8, 2014 and is now granted. The issues of a higher rating are addressed in the remand section.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by arthritis and a tear of the lateral meniscus, was found to warrant a 10 percent rating from July 1, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal to establish that his substantive appeal was timely filed regarding the May 2007 rating decision was denied. The Board also found that his appeals for earlier effective dates and increased ratings were not timely filed.

The Veteran's service-connected repaired torn cartilage of the right knee has been granted a 20% disability rating effective December 27, 2010. The condition is characterized by moderate recurrent lateral instability and removal of the medial meniscus.

The Veteran's traumatic brain injury and obstructive sleep apnea are found to be service-connected. The PTSD is assigned a 50% disability rating, the left knee and right knee conditions are each rated at 10%, the shoulder strains are not service-connected, the wrist condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating, the spine strain is rated at 10%, the ankle strains do not warrant a higher rating, the hiatal hernia with GERD is rated at 10%, and the headaches are assigned a 30% disability rating. The Veteran's hypertension, DVT, restless leg syndrome, IBS, erectile dysfunction, and hypertensive cardiovascular disease are each rated at 10%.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbar spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation in any of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral hip disorder, finding that his current condition is not due to an in-service injury or disease and did not result from any chronic disability present during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, including osteoarthritis and post-operative residuals of arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructive surgery, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of March 6, 2006 for the grant of service connection for degenerative arthritis of both ankles. The Veteran's initial claim to reopen was received on March 6, 2006.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee replacement, finding that it is proximately due to his service-connected left knee replacement.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability did not manifest in service or within the first post-service year, and it is not etiologically related to service. The claim for service connection was denied.