Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and related conditions is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records, including SSA records. The case will be returned to the Board after further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability and uterine fibroids with hysterectomy are service-connected, as they originated during her active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings and service connection were denied. The low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective May 11, 2015.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a neck disability and bilateral shoulder disability have been denied as there is no evidence of such disabilities during active service or within one year of discharge, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's low back disability is not shown to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluation of his left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran is not rendered unable to obtain (secure) or maintain (follow) substantially gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities for any period.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent prior to September 30, 2016. From September 30, 2016, the ratings were increased to 20 percent for each knee.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine has been rated at 40 percent since September 11, 2015. This is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities as secondary to a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability is also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's increased rating claims for his lumbosacral strain, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities. The case is now being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity disability, including osteoarthritis of the hands, wrists, and shoulders, right lateral epicondylitis (right elbow tendonitis), and right elbow tendonitis, is not related to service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected. The chest and left knee disabilities are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for gout and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate examination reports and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, was incurred during his active service and is granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current thoracic spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, is related to symptoms he experienced during service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck and upper back disability is etiologically related to her active duty service.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder (MDD) is caused by her service-connected lumbar and cervical disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding his ability to work based on his service-connected disabilities.