Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sleep disorder, hearing loss, lumbar spine spondylolisthesis with degenerative disease L5-S1, right ankle post-operative residuals, traumatic arthritis, and left knee retropatellar pain syndrome to allow for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's left knee disability was rated as residuals of injury to the left knee requiring surgery under DC 5257, but it has now been rated as internal derangement of the left knee, status post arthroscopic repair for degenerative osteoarthritis of the left knee. The Veteran is in receipt of a 10 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for further development, including scheduling new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected knee disabilities and obtaining recent medical records.

The Veteran meets the criteria for basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically a TDIU.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his active duty service and denies the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to May 11, 2016 and increased to 30 percent thereafter. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a chronic left knee disorder existing continuously since service, and the weight of the evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's current left knee disability was caused by his in-service injury. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a left knee disorder has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his osteoarthritis of the right knee status post total knee replacement has been granted, with a 60 percent disability rating effective from September 13, 2016. The maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 5055 is assigned.

The Veteran's cervical spine and erectile dysfunction claims have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including his status post total left knee replacement and degenerative arthritis of the left knee, has been granted increased ratings. The left knee replacement received a 30% rating prior to July 17, 2012, and a 60% rating thereafter. The initial disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the left knee was also granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for colon cancer and a right ankle disability, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease resulting in these conditions.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety, and depressive disorder, is not related to service or a service-connected disability.,The Veteran has a current back disability, to include degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, but it did not become manifest within one year after service separation.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating due to bilateral surgical fasciotomies is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and opinion regarding the etiology of her lower leg symptoms or compartment syndrome.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's back disability, specifically addressing whether it is related to his military service. The case will be returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to evaluate the severity of the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis and determine if any additional compensable ratings are warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise on the question of a nexus between the Veteran's service and his diagnosed degenerative arthritis of the low back. Resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, the claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the low back is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation for his right knee degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's right Achilles tendon rupture with degenerative arthritis, status post-surgical repair with scar is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 30 percent. The initial rating for PTSD remains at 30 percent. Service connection was granted for cervical spine disability and bilateral hearing loss.