Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's current right and left foot disorders did not manifest in service or within one year thereafter, and are not otherwise related to his active military service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was rated as noncompensable from November 30, 2007 to July 14, 2015 and as 20 percent disabling thereafter. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee was rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in previous VA examinations and a need for additional evidence. The Veteran's low back disability is being reviewed again.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and instability, is currently rated at 20 percent. The semilunar cartilage condition with frequent episodes of locking and pain is separately evaluated as a separate disability.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his left foot disability was denied, and the claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and foot disabilities are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or within one year of his military service. The current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for a chronic disability.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, nor is there evidence to support a presumption of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment outside of a protected environment, given his occupational experience and educational background. With resolution of reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor, the criteria for entitlement to TDIU have been met.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and has determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also found that the Veteran's current diagnosis is due to his active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, finding that it was less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical records and a new VA examination. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD rated at 70%, fracture of the left elbow rated at 10%, and degenerative arthritis of sacroiliac joint dysfunction and lumbar spine rated at 10%, do not preclude him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right knee disability and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show flexion limited to 30 degrees or severe instability, which are required for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and GERD with esophagitis and flexible hiatal hernia, finding that the current conditions are related to service. The Veteran's complaints of knee pain during service were diagnosed as chondromalacia patella, which is now diagnosed as osteoarthritis. For the gastrointestinal disorder, the Board found that the Veteran had abdominal symptoms during service, including muscle spasms and discomfort, which resolved prior to separation but are currently diagnosed as GERD with esophagitis and flexible hiatal hernia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorder is not related to his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his service-connected left hip arthroplasty and right hip stress fracture with degenerative arthritis have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn them.

The Veteran's right shoulder degenerative arthritis with impingement syndrome is rated at 20 percent prior to February 18, 2016 and 30 percent from that date. The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right upper extremity is currently rated as 20 percent disabling.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are denied as his conditions do not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 40 percent, which adequately reflects the severity of his condition.,The Veteran's right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are both currently rated at 40 percent each, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip osteoarthritis, left hip osteoarthritis, and a low back disorder due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability is not related to his service, specifically the 1960 injury. The preponderance of evidence supports a finding that the Veteran's osteoarthritis is more likely due to age and occupation factors rather than the in-service injury.