Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee. The issue of service connection for a right knee disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion and will be remanded.

The Veteran's right tibia fracture with osteoarthritis is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back, left arm, and left leg disorders are not directly related to his service or a service-connected disability. The Veteran's chronic left flank pain is also not considered the cause of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as there is no evidence of a moderately severe foot injury or worse, which would warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA Rating Schedule. The current noncompensable ratings for each foot are upheld.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Service connection for radiculopathy in both lower extremities was also denied, with the Board finding that there is no current evidence of such conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left knee and low back disabilities on a secondary basis to his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disability and bilateral knee disability are related to his active service, with no evidence of pre-service or post-service incurrence. The claims for service connection have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not caused by his service-connected allergic rhinitis, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee degenerative arthritis did not onset in service or within one year of service discharge, and is not etiologically related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's low back disability, including addressing concerns raised by the Court regarding functional loss due to pain and flare-ups. The appeal is now pending again with the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee and lumbar degenerative conditions, meet the criteria for a TDIU due to their combined effect on his ability to work.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his left knee condition, as per Correia v. McDonald (2016). The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are related to in-service injuries. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including headaches with dizziness, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine. The Veteran's combined disability rating is now 100 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cirrhosis of the liver, cervical spine disability, right shoulder arthritis, and right knee arthritis did not manifest during service or within one year of separation from service. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment for the period prior to September 25, 2013.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right foot is currently rated at 10 percent, which reflects moderate impairment. The Board finds that this rating adequately captures his disability.