Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examiner with an opinion regarding the relationship between his current knee disorders and service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was reduced from 20% to 10%, effective August 1, 2014. The reduction was proper as the condition did not improve such that a higher rating would be warranted.

Service connection was granted for a disability manifested by shortness of breath and sleep apnea, but not for Meniere's disease. The Veteran's right knee arthritis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, which the VA examiner concluded was less likely than not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including updated VA examinations and further review of his medical records.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 60 percent, the maximum under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or additional functional loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and completion of forms related to TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis and bursitis are causally related to his service-connected right shoulder disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His left shoulder osteoarthritis was rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5201.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and securing relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine disabilities are related to his service-connected residuals of a left distal tibia and fibula fracture.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as she withdrew her appeal in July 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip osteoarthritis and bilateral foot strain were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and right knee disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence of current respiratory or right hand disabilities related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining missing VA and private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his knee disabilities. The TDIU claim will be deferred until further notice.

The Veteran is seeking a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, which was initially rated at 10 percent prior to March 23, 2009, and at 20 percent as of that date. The Board has determined that an additional examination is needed to assess the current severity of the condition.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee strain, arthritis, and right shoulder status post right rotator cuff repair with degenerative changes. The Board finds that these conditions are related to active service.

Service connection was granted for left knee osteoarthritis, status post total knee replacement with an effective date of June 14, 2005.,Service connection was granted for degenerative arthritis of the left elbow and wrist associated with residuals of an injury to the left forearm with effective dates of June 13, 2012.,Service connection was granted for neuralgia of the radial nerve and median nerve associated with residuals of an injury to the left forearm with effective dates of June 14, 2005.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, is related to an in-service injury and grants service connection for this condition.