Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disabilities have been rated and the Board has determined that an increased rating is warranted for osteoarthritis of the right knee, but not for residuals of a right knee meniscectomy. The Veteran also meets criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records, particularly regarding his service-connected knee disabilities. The issues of increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities as well as TDIU are still pending.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee disability and service connection for a low back disability, to include as secondary to the right knee disability, is denied. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's left knee disability is productive of painful motion and meniscectomies, warranting a separate evaluation of 10 percent. The instability claim was not granted as the Veteran's knee does not meet criteria for an increased rating based on instability.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee scar and traumatic degeneration of the 2nd left distal metacarpal joint, as secondary to a service-connected gunshot wound. The upper respiratory disability claim is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disorder and left leg neuropathy are found to be related to his in-service back problems, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis is service-connected, but his lumbar spine DJD cannot be linked to his period of active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is considered a subsequent manifestation of his already service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's sinusitis is found to be related to her active service.,Her right hip strain and degenerative joint disease with sciatic nerve involvement are found to be secondary to her service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine.,Her left ankle strain, osteoarthritis, and osteopenia are found to be secondary to her service-connected bilateral pes planus.,Her left shoulder strain and osteoarthrosis are found to be secondary to her service-connected cervical spine stenosis with degenerative disc disease.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the underlying claims for service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis can be adjudicated on the merits.

The Veteran's appeal for the reduction of his GERD evaluation from 30 percent to 10 percent is granted, and he is entitled to a restoration of the 30 percent rating. The issue of the appropriate effective date for this reduction is dismissed as moot due to the grant of the reduction. The Veteran is also granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's spouse is not found to require regular aid and attendance, as she can manage her daily needs without assistance.

The Veteran's right and left knee conditions, including residual instability and osteoarthritis, are rated at 30 percent each under the direct service connection criteria.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbar strain, was not incurred in service. The evidence did not show chronic symptoms within one year after separation from service or otherwise etiologically related to service. Service connection for a back disability is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left wrist disability, including osteoarthritis and fracture dislocation of navicular, is not related to his service. The in-service injury was noted but did not show a fracture on x-ray at the time. The subsequent March 1970 injury was considered new.

The Board has remanded two issues: entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic low back strain with degenerative arthritis and entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The Veteran needs to provide VA treatment records from the period November 2009 to present, complete a VA Form 21-4142 for all medical facilities he has been seen at during the appeal, and undergo an examination for his low back and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to lack of evidence establishing a current disability and/or a link between the claimed conditions and service. The Board found that new evidence did not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim for PTSD, but did not find any material evidence relating to the left hip disorder.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine, right knee, bilateral shoulder, and left hip disabilities. The evidence now shows that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service.

The Veteran's iliotibial band syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees were not found to warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.