Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2018

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and remanded the issue of service connection for osteoarthritis of bilateral knees due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is not service-connected and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected condition.,Degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine was not rated higher than 10 percent prior to May 17, 2018. From May 17, 2018 onwards, it warrants a rating of at least 40 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, low back disability, left knee chondromalacia with subluxation, right small finger degenerative arthritis, upper and mid dorsal spine limitation of extension, and residual surgical scar of the right knee, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for a right knee disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition was not incurred or aggravated by her active military service. The evidence did not show an increase in disability during service and the arthritis is considered to be a natural progression of aging.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with prior directives and for obtaining updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's left knee disability, including diagnoses of derangement, sprain, and pes anserine bursitis, is being evaluated by a clinician.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various knee and back disabilities, as well as bilateral tinnitus, are being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board reinstated the Veteran's original 40% disability rating for lumbosacral strain and denied a higher rating, finding that the reduction from 40% to 10% was improper due to lack of improvement under ordinary conditions of life. The claim for an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection on all issues except nonservice-connected pension, which was also withdrawn.

The Veteran's polyarthritis associated with chronic Hepatitis C is rated at a 20 percent disability level, effective from the date of her claim in April 23, 2008. An earlier effective date prior to this date is denied.

The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis and post-operative residuals of arthroscopies and partial meniscectomies are rated at 20 percent since June 1, 2007. A separate noncompensable rating is assigned for the surgical scar.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, tension headaches as secondary to a neck disorder, and cervical radiculopathy in both upper extremities as secondary to a neck disorder. The decision is based on direct service connection due to an injury sustained during active service.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of both hips was not incurred in or aggravated during service and is not presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to herbicide agents. The respiratory disorder (chronic bronchitis) may be related to exposure to toxic chemicals, including herbicide agents, at McChord Air Force Base. Arteriosclerotic heart disease is also linked to exposure to toxic chemicals.,The Veteran's arteriosclerotic heart disease was not incurred in or aggravated during service and is not presumed to have been incurred due to exposure to herbicide agents. The respiratory disorder (chronic bronchitis) may be related to exposure to toxic chemicals, including herbicide agents, at McChord Air Force Base.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination, and a new opinion is required regarding whether the Veteran's left knee condition is causally related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar myositis with herniated nucleus pulposus, degenerative arthritis, and lumbar strain is rated at 40 percent. The effective date for this rating is April 25, 2016.