Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claimed right knee disability, left leg stress fracture, and generalized osteoarthritis are not service-connected as they did not manifest during active service or within one year of discharge. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's low back disability is found to be incurred during service.,The Veteran's facial scar is found to be incurred during service.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have begun during his active duty service. For both knees, the disability ratings are increased from 10% to 20%.

The Veteran's low back strain has been rated at 20 percent since May 11, 2010 to January 27, 2011 and from March 1, 2011 to July 29, 2014. The rating is based on symptoms resulting in an altered gait without ankylosis of the spine or flexion functionally limited to 30 degrees or less.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis is currently rated at 20 percent disabling, effective June 7, 2012. The disability has not resulted in ankylosis or recurrent subluxation/lateral instability.

The Veteran's appeal for increased evaluations on multiple service-connected disabilities has been withdrawn by the Veteran, and he is currently assigned a noncompensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the hips and fingers, finding that these conditions are secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's thoracic spine disability is currently rated as 20 percent disabling, and the Board finds no basis for a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis is being remanded due to the need to determine his active duty and ACDUTRA dates, as well as provide a VA examination to address whether his current knee disorders are related to his military service.

The Veteran is not entitled to VA compensation benefits in lieu of military retired pay before September 17, 1998. The issue of the calculation of compensation benefits based on a September 17, 1998, election of compensation benefits in lieu of receipt of military retired pay is being remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left ankle osteoarthritis and hallux valgus of the left foot are service-connected, with no disputes regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left knee disability was denied, as the evidence did not show any additional limitation in range of motion or instability beyond what is contemplated by a 10% rating. The service connection claim for low back disability was also denied due to lack of probative evidence linking it to service.

The Board has remanded the case for a new examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee and left knee conditions, as well as her ability to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment due to these disabilities. The case will be returned to the Board after the examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral chondromalacia, status-post surgeries, is related to her military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address the propriety of the disability ratings assigned for her service-connected lumbar spine and left leg conditions.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis has been rated as 10 percent disabling, with separate ratings for instability and removal of meniscus. The Veteran's left hand disorder claim was withdrawn by the Veteran.,A rating in excess of 20 percent is not warranted for chronic lumbar strain.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine has not met the criteria for a higher initial evaluation.,The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia has been manifested by persistently recurring epigastric distress, pyrosis (heartburn), reflux, regurgitation, and nausea. However, it does not meet the criteria for an increased rating as there is no evidence of dysphagia, substernal pain or pain in the arm/shoulder, weight loss, hematemesis, melena, or anemia.,The Veteran's psoriasis has not covered more than five percent of his entire body and less than five percent of exposed areas. Therefore, it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for scoliosis, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities as there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease that led to these conditions.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis and lateral instability, as well as his left knee osteoarthritis and lateral instability, are all rated at the lowest possible compensable levels. The Board found that there was no evidence of limitation of motion to a non-compensable degree in any knee joint.