Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle post fusion and degenerative arthritis of the left knee has been granted, with a rating of 30 percent for the left ankle and 20 percent for the left knee.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his claims, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations. The TDIU claim will also be remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee and foot disabilities are not related to his military service, thus denying his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for a left ring finger scar was granted. The other claims of service connection were denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and seeking an opinion regarding whether there was a medication error by VA. The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for his knees, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for gout, and reopening service connection claims are all on hold until these actions are completed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of bilateral sacroiliac joints is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar back strain with degenerative disc disease and arthritis, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated at 20 percent prior to October 23, 2012 for chronic residuals of his meniscus tear and effusion. After December 2013, he is in receipt of the highest rating available (60%) due to his total knee replacement.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a right knee disorder, which includes right knee osteoarthritis. The Veteran's testimony regarding chronic right knee pain in service is credible, meeting the criteria for presumptive service connection based on 'chronic' symptoms during active duty.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the neck, to include as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee and low back disabilities, was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence linking the current degenerative arthritis to service or service-connected disability.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is found to have onset during active service or was caused by his military service, including as secondary to PTSD. The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is also granted service connection.

The Board found that there was no evidence of a chronic disability manifested by joint aches, to include osteoarthritis, related to service. The Veteran's claim for an undiagnosed illness could not be substantiated as a matter of law.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis was initially granted with a 10 percent evaluation effective from June 18, 2010. The RO subsequently assigned the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis a noncompensable evaluation prior to December 18, 2006 and a 10 percent evaluation on or after December 18, 2006.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 20 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Veteran's low back injury with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease is also rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased evaluation of osteoarthritis, spondylosis thoracic spine.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for service-connected left wrist and left ear hearing loss disabilities, finding that the schedular criteria were not met.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical evidence and for further development of the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for cervical spine osteoarthritis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims, including obtaining his service personnel records and treatment records from the October 1990 motor vehicle accident. The Veteran will be scheduled for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to his military service and have granted service connection for osteoarthritis of both knees and a groin injury in service.