Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2015

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disorder, including degenerative disc disease, a small focal disc herniation at L5-S1, degenerative arthritis, and lumbar strain/sprain, was not related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against finding any link between his current condition and military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's current knee disorders are at least as likely as not related to his service-connected right hip disability.,Service connection is also granted for a left ankle injury residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine were not incurred or aggravated by service, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her right knee disability was denied. The claim for temporary total evaluation based on surgical or other treatment necessitating convalescence was also denied as there is no indication that the surgery resulted in at least one month of post-operative convalescence.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and awarded a 10 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's disability ratings are based on their specific manifestations, with no separate ratings assigned for pain or neurologic abnormalities.

The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated as 20 percent disabling since December 3, 2014.,Prior to December 3, 2014, the Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc displacement L4-L5. Since then, he is rated at 40 percent.,The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling since February 9, 2009 and increased to 20 percent effective December 3, 2014. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for this condition.,The Veteran's left knee laxity was initially granted a 10 percent rating from February 9, 2009. Since then, he has been rated at 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, as new and material evidence has been received. However, the claim remains denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking the current degenerative arthritis of the spine to service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was also denied in July 1978. The Board found that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to his current condition, and the current findings are not linked to service.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, effective July 24, 2006. The Board has also granted a TDIU for the period from February 18, 2012 to January 2013.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for traumatic brain injury and a sleep disorder were withdrawn. The Board granted higher ratings for right and left knee disabilities, including scars.,Headaches prior to June 20, 2014 are rated at 30 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right shoulder disability remains on appeal.

The Veteran's cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disabilities have not met the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ankle disability and finds that the Veteran's current right ankle disorder is related to his in-service injury. The claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, IBS, GERD, prostatitis, hypertension, degenerative arthritis of right acromioclavicular joints, and triceps muscle injury are addressed on remand.

The Board found no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that caused the Veteran's current right knee disability, and concluded that his arthritis is not service-connected.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left ankle disability with degenerative arthritis and sinus tarsi syndrome. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of the current left ankle disability, including consideration of the Veteran's statements regarding a twisting injury during service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the mixed nature of his service-connected right shoulder disability and the need for further development regarding his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they do not result in a combined rating of at least 70%.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate reasons or bases provided by the Board in its August 2014 decision. The Board failed to consider evidence of instability and abnormal patellar tracking when considering whether a higher rating was warranted under 38 C.F.R. � 4.71a, Diagnostic Code 5257.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine and finds that there is sufficient evidence to establish a current disability, continuity of symptoms since service separation, and a causal relationship between the Veteran's in-service injury and his current condition. The claim is therefore granted.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.