Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Veteran's appeal is currently in remand status due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a new VA examination and address the issues of his left and right knee disabilities, as well as coccydynia and TDIU.

The Veteran was granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, thoracic spine compression fractures, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and thoracic outlet syndrome. Headaches were not found to be related to service.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's right knee condition based on continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's right knee bursitis and degenerative arthritis do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee disorder and a rating in excess of 20 percent for his back disability. The claim for TDIU prior to October 23, 2014 was also denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and instability, is currently rated at 30 percent under DCs 5257 and 5261. The Veteran has been granted a separate rating for his surgical scars.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, particularly regarding his gastrointestinal disorder, allergic rhinitis, and thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right knee disability is at least as likely as not caused by undue stress due to his service-connected residuals of a right foot fracture, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine disorder is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination of his right knee, including the residual surgical scar. The issue will be reconsidered after the examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability and right lower extremity disability are service-connected as they began during his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development. The case will be returned to the Board only if full compliance with this decision is achieved.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his left hip disability is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew this claim. The Board finds that service connection is warranted for bilateral foot hallux limitus rigidus with metatarsal osteoarthritis and right foot hallux limitus rigidus with metatarsal osteoarthritis.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, effective January 1, 2014. The appeal regarding service connection for a sinus disability remains pending.

The Veteran's left knee lateral meniscectomy and arthroscopy with osteoarthritis was characterized by dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent locking, pain, and effusion for the entire claims period. The Board granted a 20 percent evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5258 for the entire claims period.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of a sleep-related disability, and thus the Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea began during military service and is related to his service-connected conditions. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and cervical spondylosis as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to outstanding treatment records. Service connection for Achilles tendonitis is also pending.