Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disabilities, including osteoarthritis and spondylosis of the cervical and lumbar spine, are related to his active service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, to include as secondary to his right knee disability, was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the current condition and that obesity is more likely the cause of the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, including rotator cuff syndrome and degenerative arthritis, is not etiologically related to his period of active service. As a result, the claim for service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that his preexisting condition did not worsen during military service and was in its normal progression.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to his refusal of participation in the VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining an assessment from a vocational rehabilitation specialist or another physician.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a chronic left leg disability other than radiculopathy, and therefore, his claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's left wrist, left elbow, low back, and bilateral knee conditions are not causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and left shoulder disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The Board found that arthritis was not noted during service within the meaning of section 3.303(b), and that any current disability is unrelated to service.

The Board has determined that the evidence currently of record is sufficient to substantiate the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing due to the failure to timely file an appeal on some of the new issues.

The Veteran's current lumbar spine osteoarthritis is found to be related to his active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities and service connection for a shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability is proximately due to his service-connected right knee disorders, and thus grants service connection for this condition on a secondary basis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral hip osteoarthritis and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a TDIU effective October 1, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for immune thrombocytic purpura, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and hypertension are being remanded due to outstanding STRs not being available. A VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a Board hearing. The claims of service connection and increased ratings are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a shrapnel wound scar on the left arm, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis, which was previously rated as 10 percent disabling, has been granted. The current disability is now rated at 10 percent effective from the date of the January 2013 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for TDIU.