Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2020

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal because his timely substantive appeal was not received within 60 days of the October 16, 2019 Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's neck condition is granted as service connected due to in-service injury and continued symptoms after separation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ataxia was remanded, and the RO granted service connection for orthostatic hypotension. The Board finds that this satisfied the Veteran’s claim for service connection for ataxia. The issue of SMC based on aid and attendance is now remanded due to new evidence indicating the need for regular aid and assistance.

The Veteran's spine disability is rated at 40 percent, which does not meet his contention for a higher rating.,His hypertension has been rated at 10 percent and does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied higher initial ratings for knee conditions and denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The Veteran was advised of his appellate rights but did not appeal the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, reopening a previously denied claim. The Veteran's current condition is found to be related to his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of PTSD, left knee degenerative arthritis, and asthma for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's hypertension, cholecystectomy residuals, and bilateral osteoarthritis of the wrists have not met the criteria for higher disability ratings.,Service connection for the Veteran's bilateral osteoarthritis of the wrists has been denied as there is no evidence that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's initial rating for left knee degenerative arthritis is denied, and his claims of service connection for a back disorder and sleep apnea are denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected bilateral hip disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a low back disability to allow for further development, including an additional VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the failure to provide adequate VA examinations. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, neck, right ankle, right knee, and right shoulder conditions as there is no credible evidence of in-service injury or disease that would support a finding of service connection.

The Veteran's left knee disability was granted a 60 percent rating, effective May 1, 2008.,The Veteran's right knee disability was granted a 60 percent rating, effective September 1, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of his symptoms.

The Board has granted service connection for rheumatoid arthritis and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that the etiology of both conditions is inconclusive.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and denied service connection for a back disability. The decision on the back disability is based on the lack of evidence of chronicity in service or within one year of separation.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and bilateral pes planus was granted, with an effective date set at December 2, 2003.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals for the issues of service connection for osteoarthritis of the knees, tinnitus, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.