Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected major depressive disorder. His major depressive disorder is granted a 100% rating, and his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine remains at 50%. The case is remanded for further development regarding the lower back condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability, including osteoarthritis of the shoulders, is not causally or etiologically related to service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's TBI and bilateral visual disability claims are denied. His bilateral hearing loss and low back disabilities are granted, but his knee disabilities remain not established.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various disabilities, including cervical and lumbar spine conditions and radiculopathy of the lower extremities. The Board has determined that an effective date prior to August 23, 2011 is not warranted for these claims.,The Veteran also sought earlier effective dates for his service-connected disabilities. These requests were denied as well.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to May 6, 1999, and the evidence does not indicate he was unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions alone for any period.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection were denied as there is no legal or factual basis to assign a date prior to August 27, 2008.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and has determined that new and material evidence has been received. The Board also found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of right knee osteoarthritis and medial meniscal tear are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and lumbar degenerative disc disease and IVDS, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his military service. The other claims were not addressed as they have been narrowed or resolved.

The Veteran's service-connected right thumb and right index finger disabilities are currently rated at the maximum schedular level (20 percent), with no additional functional impairment warranting a higher evaluation.

The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability, to include degenerative arthritis, is related to service and therefore service connection is granted.

The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected back, knee, and ankle disabilities that result in difficulty with activities of daily living such as dressing, grooming, preparing meals, and medication management.

The Veteran's current bilateral knee disability is not related to service, and the Board finds that it was not incurred or aggravated therein.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities of the lower back, hips, and knees. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly assess these conditions.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 20 percent, effective December 5, 2011. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as his disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's left thumb disability, characterized by degenerative arthritis and loss of grip strength, warrants a 10% rating based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's left knee disability is not service-connected.,From August 12, 2009 to March 14, 2011, the Veteran received a rating of 20 percent for his right knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and lumbar spondylosis as these conditions were aggravated by the appellant's service-connected right and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee conditions were denied. The maximum schedular rating of 30 percent was maintained for the relevant periods.

The Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent prior to May 22, 2017 and is currently denied for a higher rating. The left lower extremity radiculopathy has been rated at 10 percent prior to February 25, 2015 and is currently denied for a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient examination and medical opinions regarding the etiology of the left ankle disorder. The Veteran's claim for service connection remains pending.