Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's left knee replacement, tear of the meniscus with a large popliteal cyst, and osteoarthritis are related to service or any service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, but denied the remaining issues of increased ratings and secondary service connection. The Veteran is still seeking higher ratings for his back, left knee, and bilateral wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus, headaches, lower back disability, and depression are all service-connected.,Right upper extremity radiculopathy is rated at 50 percent, while hypothyroidism remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and issuing an SSOC.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition, including arthritis and instability, is rated at 30 percent under Diagnostic Code 5303 for severe instability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a request for withdrawal prior to the Board's decision.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed respiratory disability and denied service connection for this condition. The Board also did not find any evidence of asbestos exposure during service, which was necessary to establish service connection for sleep apnea.

The appeal is REMANDED to the AOJ for further development of the issues, including a new examination and issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) with respect to certain claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current lower back disability, skin cancer residuals, or gastrointestinal disorder/Barrett's esophagus that is related to his period of service.,Service connection for these conditions cannot be established as there is no evidence of disease or injury during service and no medical opinion linking any current condition to service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated based on their current manifestations, with separate ratings for instability and cartilage dislocation where applicable. The RO has granted the requested increased ratings.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted a 40 percent rating effective July 27, 2015. His left lower extremity radiculopathy and right knee instability were also granted ratings of 20 percent each effective the same date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his right knee disability and left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current disabilities and service.

The Board has granted service connection for low back disability, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, metatarsalgia of the feet, degenerative arthritis of the feet, and tinea pedis (athlete's foot) due to a lack of evidence showing chronic symptoms during or immediately following service.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee with an effective date of November 24, 1969. The Veteran's initial disability rating remains at 10%.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis of the spine was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and may not be presumed to have been so incurred.

The Veteran's left knee disability is service-connected and he is currently rated at 30 percent for his right knee disability. The effective dates for the rating changes are specified.

The Veteran's back disability is granted, and his right and left knee disabilities are each rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an updated VA medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's neck arthritis as secondary to his service-connected myasthenia gravis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee strain does not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating, and thus denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent.