Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis, status post-total knee arthroplasty and right knee osteoarthritis are not etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, but his disability picture warrants a higher rating due to additional functional loss from flare-ups and pain. The Board has granted an increased rating to 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, right hand disability, and left shoulder disability were denied. The claim for headaches was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Ratings for the right foot and left shoulder disabilities remain at their current levels.

The Veteran's right wrist disability has been manifested by symptoms of painful motion, weakness, limitation of palmar flexion to 10 degrees, limitation of dorsiflexion to 5 degrees, less than 5 degrees of radial deviation, and 5 degrees of ulnar deviation. For the entire increased rating period, the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met or more nearly approximated.

The Veteran's left knee disability was noted at service entry and did not worsen as a result of military service; arthritis of the knee was not manifested within the first post-service year.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of left knee meniscus tear status post surgical repair are service-connected. The arthritis claim is also granted as it is related to his pre-existing condition aggravated by service. Other claims remain pending.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining STRs from Langley AFB and the Philippines. The claims for higher initial ratings are inextricably intertwined with the earlier effective date claim.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been manifested by occasional flare-ups of pain and intermittent limitation of motion, without joint instability, subluxation, or significant other disability. The current 10 percent disability rating is maintained as the evidence does not show any additional functional loss due to painful motion, weakened movement, excess fatigability, incoordination, or malalignment.

The Board granted service connection for cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity and degenerative arthritis of the left hip as secondary to service-connected disabilities, effective April 13, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a contemporaneous examination of his right knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's right knee disability, specifically the removal of semilunar cartilage and chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis, is rated at 10 percent. The claim for a separate rating for instability of the right knee was granted effective December 13, 2011. Service connection for left knee disability remains denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right wrist disability, including arthritis and a fracture, did not manifest during service or within one year of separation from active duty. The disability is also not related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for left thumb MCP joint and scaphoid osteoarthritis, right wrist osteoarthritis, low back strain, and right ear hearing loss have been denied. The current evaluations are found to be appropriate.

The Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right shoulder osteoarthritis and earlier effective dates for service connection were granted. The effective date for the grant of service connection was set at June 27, 2007, while the effective date for the increased rating remains pending.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 20% rating for his left knee osteoarthritis from September 1, 2011 to October 15, 2012 due to a reduction in evaluation that was improper.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a lack of VA examinations for his obstructive sleep apnea and joint conditions, as well as an insufficiently developed record regarding his right fifth metacarpal disability. The case is now pending for further development.

The Board denied service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, left and right knee disabilities, and a right shoulder scar. The Veteran's current knee conditions are not considered to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's left foot disability, characterized by pain with additional pain on use and severe disability of the left foot, is currently rated at 30 percent under DC 5283. The Board finds that her symptoms more nearly approximate a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left knee disability did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and ankle conditions, as well as a claim for an increased rating for residuals of a left tibia fracture. The evidence did not support finding that these conditions were caused or aggravated by his service-connected left leg disability.