Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right knee as secondary to a service-connected disability, specifically the Veteran's left knee replacement.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as secondary to a service-connected knee disability. Service connection was denied for hypertension and prostate disability.

The Veteran's service-connected limitation of flexion of the right knee, residual of fractured patella, is found to be the proximate cause of his advanced osteoarthritis of the right knee with total right knee arthoplasty.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and lymphedema were not granted service connection.,A rating of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease was granted from February 24, 2016 onwards.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, NOS is granted as service-connected.,Effective February 19, 2010, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine and lumbar spine disorders, but the right shoulder disorder claim is remanded due to lack of VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's back disability, specifically his service connection claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding that symptoms were not chronic in service and continuous since service separation. The Board also found that the condition did not manifest to a compensable degree within one year of service separation and was not otherwise incurred or caused by service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 30 percent, and a separate rating of 20 percent for recurrent dislocation prior to May 25, 2017, has been granted. The appeals for increased ratings are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for occipital neuralgia and denied increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, cervical strain, migraines, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right knee instability and degenerative arthritis with chondromalacia of the right knee due to insufficient medical evidence in the record. Additional examination is required to determine appropriate disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee instability and OA was granted effective from November 26, 2001. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support an earlier effective date.

A separate, 30 percent rating for the side effects of medications used to treat lumbosacral strain with DDD and degenerative arthritis is granted. The initial rating for chondromalacia of the right knee remains remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have not been productive of total occupational and social impairment, but his other service-connected conditions have resulted in a 100 percent evaluation due to their combined effect on his ability to work.

The Veteran's lumbar strain is not rated higher than 20 percent.,The Veteran's right knee DJD and arthritis are each rated at noncompensable levels.,The Veteran's right knee instability prior to July 25, 2016 was rated at a noncompensable level. From that date forward, the rating is 10 percent for instability.,The Veteran’s lumbar strain and right knee DJD/Arthritis are not entitled to higher ratings.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is remanded. His claims for service connection of lumbosacral strain, left knee pain, right knee pain, and degenerative arthritis of the spine are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative arthritis of the cervical and lumbar spine are granted as his symptoms were present in service and have continued since then.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck disability and a higher initial rating for bilateral pes planus, hallux valgus, hallux rigidus, and calcaneal spurs due to outstanding VA treatment records and additional relevant evidence.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder is dismissed as he wishes to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable disability evaluation for duodenitis was denied, and his effective date for the grant of service connection for right acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis was remanded. The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for elbow conditions were also remanded.