Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine is currently rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of the bilateral hips and thus service connection for this condition is denied. For his right knee and low back disabilities, an addendum opinion is required to address whether these conditions are related to service or other factors.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar osteoarthritis, finding that it is a subsequent manifestation of the already service-connected arthritis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease that could be related to his current low back disorder, and the condition does not appear to be related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right knee disability, including osteoarthritis and meniscal tear, is not related to his active duty service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding in favor of service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability did not have its onset in service and is not related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, did not render him unemployable prior to June 27, 2014. As of that date, the issue of TDIU is moot due to the assignment of a 100% rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of claim.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the right lower extremity associated with his lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of claim.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity associated with his lumbar spine disability is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of claim.,The Veteran is found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and consideration of the issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's joint pain is due to a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder, low back, and left knee disabilities are not related to his active duty service.,There is no current evidence of a hip disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthritis conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis of multiple joints, are not service-connected. The right ankle condition is service-connected due to in-service trauma, but other joint conditions are not considered service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is not related to his active service and was not caused by or permanently worsened by his service-connected lumbar strain disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral knee disability and low back disability are not service-connected as they did not have onset during active service or are otherwise etiologically linked to any incident of active service.

The Veteran's PTSD, ischemic heart condition, tinnitus, lumbar osteoarthritis, radiculopathy of the right leg, and ankle strain have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board finds that he is entitled to TDIU based on his PTSD alone.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for right hand, foot, and hip osteoarthritis have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea, which he contends is related to conditions like allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, dysthymic disorder, hypertension and degenerative arthritis of the spine. The Board has decided that further development is needed before a decision can be made.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder, left knee, and left elbow disabilities are not related to his active duty service.,Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal regarding increased evaluations for various service-connected conditions has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claims prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board hearing at the RO.