Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2023

The Board has granted separate 20 percent ratings for right knee locking and left knee locking. The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for PTSD and right knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability was denied as the current cervical spine degenerative arthritis with disc disease is not etiologically related to his period of service.,The reduction in rating from 10 to 0 percent for fibromyalgia effective September 1, 2017 was granted and the Veteran's former 10 percent rating was restored.

The Veteran's left knee lateral meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis have been rated, with the highest available rating of 30 percent for instability since July 31, 2015. A separate 20 percent rating has also been granted for 'locking,' pain, and effusion into the joint from August 10, 2021. The Veteran's limitation of flexion is rated at a 10 percent level as of August 7, 2018.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension. The back disability is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left total knee replacement and right foot metatarsalgia with pes planus. Erectile dysfunction is also secondary to his service-connected disabilities. However, hypertension was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities, lumbar spine disability, and bilateral foot disabilities due to lack of compliance with previous remand directives.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee osteoarthritis as they require additional development, specifically obtaining VA examinations that include instructions to address any additional loss of range of motion during flare-ups.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a gastrointestinal disability (other than gastroesophageal reflux disease) is denied. The claims for increased ratings of lumbar spine, right knee chondromalacia with quadriceps and popliteal tendinopathy and osteoarthritis, left knee chondromalacia with quadriceps and popliteal tendinopathy and osteoarthritis, and right knee meniscal tear are all denied. The Veteran's service-connected residual scars, bilateral gynecomastia, status post liposuction and bilateral subcutaneous mastectomy, and residual scars of the anterior trunk and chest do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities and TDIU prior to February 6, 2020 was denied due to lack of evidence of current disabilities. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected left knee disability alone.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain, rotator cuff tendonitis, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and rotator cuff tear are rated at 20 percent since October 1, 2015. The left shoulder impingement syndrome with status post left shoulder repair is also rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's right femur fracture and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are being remanded for further evaluation. The left knee chondromalacia claim is also pending.

The Veteran withdrew all remaining issues on appeal, including requests for increased ratings for hip osteoarthritis.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's back disability, finding that it is less likely than not caused by his active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disorders, finding that they are at least as likely as not related to his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance eligibility are granted. The Board has found the Veteran unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, which include left knee degenerative arthritis with limited extension, muscular atrophy, instability, and flexion limitations. The right knee disability is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding potential VA causation or aggravation. The rating for left knee degenerative arthritis with limitation of extension is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip disability, diagnosed as left hip strain with degenerative joint disease and osteoarthritis, has been granted. The right knee issue is being remanded.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings for his thoracolumbar spine disability and associated lumbar radiculopathy was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 20 percent for the period since November 22, 2019.