Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vertigo was incurred in service and is aggravated by service.,The Board also found that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, including bursitis and osteoarthritis status post acromioplasty without residual scar, was aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain outstanding private treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination of his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining records from Vocational Rehabilitation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, was not incurred during her military service and is unrelated to any incident or injury sustained therein. As a result, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings for left knee disability was denied. The Board found that the effective date for service connection should be April 27, 2012 and that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to October 24, 2013 or in excess of 30 percent as of February 1, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left knee disabilities, as well as service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease, and rheumatoid arthritis were denied. The maximum disability rating of 60 percent was assigned for the Veteran's total knee arthroplasties.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) lumbar spine was denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes within the past year.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including osteoarthritis and a residual lateral meniscus tear, was rated at 10 percent prior to August 25, 2010. A separate rating of 10 percent for instability beginning October 22, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right knee is proximately due to his service-connected left knee total replacement, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as well as right knee strain. The evidence does not establish a medical nexus between an in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected knees are remanded. The claim for service connection for a low back disability is reopened, but the issue remains pending and will be addressed after obtaining additional evidence. The Veteran's low back disability may potentially be related to an in-service incident.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to be unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA treatment records and SSA records. A current VA audiological examination will also be scheduled to assess the severity of his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability and TBI residuals are related to service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis and instability are not rated higher than the currently assigned disability ratings.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for right knee trauma but denied it on the merits. The Veteran's current right knee disability is not caused by or related to his active military service.

The appellant's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation from July 24, 2012, to June 30, 2015.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is more likely than not aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's headaches have been rated at a 30 percent level, and service connection for his right and left knee disabilities has also been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10 percent, effective October 2010.,The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 20 percent, effective October 2010.