Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals to reopen his claims for bilateral knee condition and acquired psychiatric disorder as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left lower extremity and right knee disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic disease or injury during service or within one year after separation. The Board also found that any current osteoarthritis is not causally related to service.

Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the right hip, left hip, and headaches. The Veteran's disability manifested by weakness, fatigability, and irritability is remanded for further examination and opinion. An initial compensable rating for residuals of nonspecific orbital granuloma is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee disability and PTSD, as well as his TDIU claim are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of TBI or tinnitus, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.,For low back degenerative arthritis, the Board found no evidence of chronic disease in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The Veteran's symptoms are attributed to intercurrent causes and his post-service occupational history.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis of the thoracolumbar spine, peripheral neuropathy (PN) RUE from June 26, 2015, and right lower extremity (RLE) lumbar radiculopathy are all rated at 40 percent. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inadequate VA examinations in previous decisions. The Veteran is also being asked to provide information regarding flare-ups of his disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left and right knees, finding that there was no evidence linking the current condition to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine is remanded due to evidence indicating worsening of the condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for varicose veins and granted it, but denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete medical records and need for clarification on whether the Veteran's back and right leg conditions are related to his service-connected right knee disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened, but further development is needed to determine the etiology of his disorder. His current lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome disability requires a VA examination to assess its severity.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to an effective date prior to July 23, 2014 for service connection and a higher evaluation for her osteoarthritis, left knee are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received, and to that extent only, the reopening of the claim for service connection for a back disability is granted. The Veteran's back disability (including osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease) was found to be secondary to his service-connected left anterior cruciate ligament repair.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and completing a VA Form 21-8940 to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for a separate rating for neurologic abnormalities associated with the service-connected low back pain secondary to sacroiliitis with degenerative arthritis changes and TDIU are being remanded due to issues with the adequacy of the October 2015 VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition and left leg spasms as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.,Service connection was also remanded for right hip tendinitis and unspecified polyneuropathy bilateral distal legs, both claimed as secondary to the same service-connected condition.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, with no higher ratings granted due to the lack of evidence showing more than limited motion.