Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's torn medial meniscus, left knee with osteoarthritis is rated at 30 percent. His left knee osteoarthritis with limited range of motion is not entitled to a higher rating. The Board has granted the Veteran a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his left knee disability was denied. His right shoulder disability claim, which had been previously denied on the merits, was reopened due to new and material evidence submitted after the July 2008 denial. The Board found that the Veteran's right shoulder disability was aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at the highest possible disability rating of 100 percent, effective June 8, 2010. The claim for higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities of the knees and shoulders, as well as his asbestosis, are denied.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is caused in part by chronic pain from his service-connected disabilities and the medications prescribed for his service-connected anxiety and depressive disorders, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and providing a supplemental VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a low back disorder related to the Veteran's service and denied his claim for service connection. The right shoulder osteoarthritis was also not granted as it is considered a preexisting condition that did not worsen during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hip osteoarthritis is not related to his period of service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records related to his claimed alcoholism. The issues of service connection for a low back disability and right knee disability have been granted, but are no longer before the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including epilepsy, lumbar spine arthritis, right knee instability and chondromalacia, do not render her unemployable prior to August 13, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right knee disability is related to his military service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's left knee disability rating from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective May 1, 2009 was improper and restored the prior 20 percent rating. The right knee disability claim remains denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right shoulder and knee disabilities are related to her active service, meeting all elements of service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left wrist disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for diabetes, right knee disability, and leukocytosis at the June 2015 hearing. The remaining claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected right upper extremity paresthesias, median nerve disability of the right upper extremity, and ulnar nerve disability of the right upper extremity have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to separate ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities associated with thoracic spine osteoarthritis.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's right knee disability and a separate rating for arthritis of the right knee. The Veteran's residuals of a tear of the medial collateral ligament from the tibial insertion with chondromalacia of the right patella are not manifested by at least moderate recurrent subluxation or lateral instability, while his degenerative changes of the right knee are due to or have been aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability. A separate 10 percent rating for arthritis of the right knee is warranted based on noncompensable limitation of motion confirmed by objective evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right and left knee osteoarthritis is etiologically related to his service, including multiple in-service knee injuries. As a result, the appeal for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is caused by an in-service incident and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's sciatic neuritis and left knee disability have been granted increased ratings, with the sciatic neuritis receiving a maximum rating of 40 percent.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU effective October 30, 2008 due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.