Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2019

The Board has expanded the issue to include whether a change in the stated employment goal is warranted due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and his attempts to obtain employment. The case is being remanded for an additional functional capacity evaluation, as well as for the Veteran to provide evidence of unsuccessful job attempts.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for internal derangement of the right knee, to include osteoarthritis, has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is also granted for osteoarthritis of the left knee.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right ankle arthrodesis, left knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia and total knee arthroplasty, posttraumatic stress disorder, left ankle arthroplasty, tinnitus, right hip degenerative joint disease, and left hip degenerative joint disease, are found to be of such nature and severity as to preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Veteran's TDIU claim is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine with lumbosacral strain and intervertebral disc syndrome is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The issue remains on appeal.

The Board denied service connection for lower back and left knee disorders on the basis that there was no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and military service.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is rated at 40 percent, effective February 10, 2016. The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for a thoracic spine disability, finding that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the thoracic spine did not have onset during his active service and was not caused by or linked to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is at least as likely as not related to his military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of degenerative osteoarthritis, bronchitis, seborrheic keratosis, a low back disorder, a rectal abscess status post excision, and headaches with dizziness have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded these issues for further development.

The Board denied service connection for joint pain, sleep apnea, and tension headaches as they are not shown to be related to service or an undiagnosed illness.,Specifically, the Veteran's joint pain was found not to have been incurred in service and is not attributable to any unidentified illness or medically unexplained multi-symptom illness resulting from his service.

The Veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis, hypertension, GERD, and headaches on a secondary basis are now service-connected.,A 40% rating for degenerative arthritis and DDD of the thoracolumbar spine is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee osteoarthritis and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The claims for TMJ and TDIU are being remanded due to outstanding records.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for right shoulder osteoarthritis, status post shoulder arthroplasty is denied. The current 30 percent rating adequately compensates the Veteran's symptoms and manifestations.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate development and need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's right shoulder osteoarthritis and impingement syndrome are currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The appeal for service connection of a cervical spine disability is remanded due to procedural defects.

The Board denied increased ratings for right hip osteoarthritis, left hip strain, left knee chondromalacia, and status post right knee patella realignment as the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board dismissed all issues on appeal due to lack of jurisdiction.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right shoulder disability should be remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board denied service connection for right thumb and right knee disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus between the current conditions and in-service injuries. The left knee disability was also denied as secondary to a nonservice-connected condition.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are being remanded for additional medical records and a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his conditions, including any related symptoms such as buckling and weakness. The examiner will also need to determine if these symptoms are at least as likely as not due to or aggravated by his service-connected knee conditions.