Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2017

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the remaining issues for further development.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals regarding increased evaluations for osteoarthritis of the right knee and dermatitis of the face before a decision was made.

The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine developed as a result of his active service, and grants service connection for this disability.

The Board has denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, but granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and residuals of a recurring cyst or tumor on the right middle finger. The claim for service connection for low back disability remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine was reduced from 20 percent to 10 percent, effective December 1, 2015. The reduction is denied as improper.

The Veteran's right eye disability is service-connected and he has been granted a TDIU. His lumbar spine disability, associated with radiculopathy of the lower extremities, remains at a 40% rating.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder strain, bilateral rotator cuff tendonitis, and degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder were found to be incurred in service. The temporary total disability rating for convalescence following right shoulder surgery is also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder, finding that his current thoracic spine strain and lumbar degenerative arthritis were not caused or aggravated by his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability was aggravated by injuries incurred during periods of active duty for training and inactive duty for training, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board videoconference hearing. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for left knee osteoarthritis and whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen his right knee disability claim are pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including new VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis and stenosis of the lumbar spine are related to her military service, granting her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected left hip and knee disabilities do not warrant higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and tinnitus, as new evidence received since the final May 2009 rating decision raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.,However, the Board finds that there is not sufficient evidence to grant either claim on the merits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hip and leg disability is not related to his active duty service, and it is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle osteoarthritis. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis, meniscal pathology, and patellofemoral chondromalacia of the bilateral knees. The issue of an increased rating for lumbar/low back strain remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and treatment records, as well as for a new VA examination. The issues of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, headaches, and osteoarthritis of the right index finger MP joint are pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, a pulmonary condition, gout, degenerative arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and metabolic syndrome. The Board also found that there is no evidence of chemical exposure or TCE exposure to support these claims.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine has been rated at 40 percent since September 23, 2002. The claim for an increased rating is granted as of March 30, 2010 to June 2, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete examination reports and other issues.