Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's knee disabilities have been rated based on their service-connected nature, with the right knee receiving a rating of 10 percent effective March 17, 2004. The left knee has received separate ratings for its different conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's right knee arthritis was manifested by limitation of flexion and painful motion prior to October 4, 2013. The Board found the criteria for an initial 10 percent disability rating for residuals of a right knee injury for the period prior to October 4, 2013, have been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by painful motion and slight instability, warrants a separate rating of 10 percent under DC 5257 for the period from April 13, 2015. The current 10 percent rating for degenerative arthritis remains unchanged.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence.

The Veteran's lower back disability was rated at 20 percent from January 23, 2008 to May 28, 2008. After that period, the rating remained at 20 percent until August 31, 2008 (post-surgery convalescence). The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy was rated at 20 percent prior to December 7, 2009 and at 40 percent from December 7, 2009. TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and DJD, right Achilles tendonitis, and left ankle strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and right leg sciatica, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and the retrieval of pertinent VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability did not originate in service, was not manifest within one year of discharge from service, and is not otherwise etiologically related to any period of active duty. The claims for secondary service connection for bilateral knee disability, neurological bilateral foot disability, and sciatic nerve disability have also been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, migraine headaches, erectile dysfunction, and degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The Veteran's PTSD was also rated at 30 percent effective December 11, 2014.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by meniscus impairment with pain, locking and effusion in the joint, has been rated at 20 percent since September 17, 2001. The Board finds that a higher rating is warranted due to frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, did not manifest in service or within a presumptive period and is not etiologically related to such service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not service-connected, and the Board finds that there is no causal relationship between his current thyroid cancer or esophageal disability and his military service. The left shoulder disability remains undiagnosed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show a continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's low back disorder was rated at 20 percent from January 2, 2013 to April 22, 2016. After this date, the rating increased to 40 percent.,Effective May 1, 2013, the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU and DEA benefits with earlier effective dates of May 1, 2013.

The Board has determined that arthritis in both the right and left knees originated during active service, granting service connection for these conditions.