Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis and right leg sciatica, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and her active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and the retrieval of pertinent VA and private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability did not originate in service, was not manifest within one year of discharge from service, and is not otherwise etiologically related to any period of active duty. The claims for secondary service connection for bilateral knee disability, neurological bilateral foot disability, and sciatic nerve disability have also been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss, migraine headaches, erectile dysfunction, and degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The Veteran's PTSD was also rated at 30 percent effective December 11, 2014.

The Veteran's left knee disability, characterized by meniscus impairment with pain, locking and effusion in the joint, has been rated at 20 percent since September 17, 2001. The Board finds that a higher rating is warranted due to frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion into the joint.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disability, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, did not manifest in service or within a presumptive period and is not etiologically related to such service. Therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is not service-connected, and the Board finds that there is no causal relationship between his current thyroid cancer or esophageal disability and his military service. The left shoulder disability remains undiagnosed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities are not related to his military service. The evidence does not show a continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's low back disorder was rated at 20 percent from January 2, 2013 to April 22, 2016. After this date, the rating increased to 40 percent.,Effective May 1, 2013, the Veteran is entitled to a TDIU and DEA benefits with earlier effective dates of May 1, 2013.

The Board has determined that arthritis in both the right and left knees originated during active service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as it shows no more than forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 60 degrees and combined range of motion greater than 120 degrees without evidence of muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his degenerative arthritis of the left knee was denied by the Board. The case is now remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the condition and determine any functional loss due to pain or other factors.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, characterized as degenerative arthritis in the spine, is service connected. The claim was reopened and granted based on evidence showing a pre-existing condition that manifested during service.

The Veteran was rendered unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities prior to October 2, 2014.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to allegations of clear and unmistakable error regarding effective dates for prior grants of service connection and current ratings for his disabilities. The issue of a TDIU prior to June 27, 2013 remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including an addendum opinion from a VA examiner to clarify the nature of his current right knee disability and determine if it had its onset in or is otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's PTSD resulted in occupational and social impairment with occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks due to symptoms such as sleep disturbance, depressed mood, and anxiety.,With reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran, his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's back disability did not have its onset in service and is not otherwise related to service. The claim for service connection for a back disability was denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disorders are not related to service and have denied his claim for service connection.