Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's stroke is not etiologically related to his active service or service-connected disabilities. The claim for secondary service connection for a stroke remains denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee osteoarthritis, acquired psychiatric disorder (including bipolar disorder), and bilateral hearing loss are not service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that there were no communications prior to July 7, 2009 indicating a claim for this condition.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was granted a 20 percent disability rating for the period prior to December 22, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an advisory medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability and blindness.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his National Guard and Army Reserve service records, as well as any relevant STRs from the hospital in Germany. The claim for a left hip disorder will also be reconsidered due to outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis and right knee strain are both granted service connection as they are directly related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral patellofemoral syndrome and osteoarthritis of the knees, finding that there is at least an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence as to whether these conditions had their onset in service. The Veteran's current symptoms are considered credible.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the right ankle was denied as his disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 20 percent for the entire appeal period, effective from when it was first service-connected.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis disability has not resulted in functional loss due to pain or other factors, and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 10% prior to December 29, 2014. Since then, the disability has been rated at 40%. The rating is based on current symptoms and not due to a separate condition or exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been addressed. The Board has granted some of the requested increases in rating, but denied others.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right knee disorder and granted it, but denied the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus.,Right knee osteoarthritis was found not incurred in or related to active duty. Tinnitus was also found not incurred in or related to active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his lumbar arthritis disability and additional development of his claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right foot disorder and granted increased ratings for his knee disabilities, but denied reopening of other claims. The TDIU claim is also granted.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated at 30 percent, effective June 18, 2016. The rating decision also increased the rating of the cervical spine disability from 10 to 30 percent effective April 27, 2017.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the relationship between the Veteran's osteoarthritis and edema of the legs, which are claimed as residuals of frostbite incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and testing related to his right knee disability, specifically regarding range of motion and meniscal condition.