Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for clarification of his hearing preference and subsequent scheduling. The issues include rating adjustment, service connection claims, and reopening of previous claims.

The Veteran's right hand disability is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under DC 5215. The Board finds that a higher or separate rating for ankylosis of any involved joint is not warranted as there is no evidence of such.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis with total knee replacement, including secondary to a service connected left knee disability. The evidence submitted was found to be cumulative and not material.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for a new examination to assess the severity of his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee conditions have been granted increased ratings, and a TDIU has been granted effective from June 30, 2011.

From September 18, 2009 to May 20, 2014, the Veteran's low back disability was rated at 20 percent.,From May 20, 2014 to December 15, 2016, the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was rated at 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for right shoulder osteoarthritis and maxillary sinusitis with retention cyst have been withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities and determine if there are any errors in the current ratings.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address whether the Veteran's service-connected right leg disability aggravates his left hip disability. The case is REMANDED for an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and radiculopathy of the lower extremities.

The Board found that the Veteran's current back disabilities, including osteoarthritis and spondylosis of the cervical and lumbar spine, are related to his active service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disorder, to include as secondary to his right knee disability, was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to the current condition and that obesity is more likely the cause of the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disorder, including rotator cuff syndrome and degenerative arthritis, is not etiologically related to his period of active service. As a result, the claim for service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee disability, finding that his preexisting condition did not worsen during military service and was in its normal progression.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to his refusal of participation in the VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) program. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining an assessment from a vocational rehabilitation specialist or another physician.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a chronic left leg disability other than radiculopathy, and therefore, his claim for service connection is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's left wrist, left elbow, low back, and bilateral knee conditions are not causally or etiologically related to any disease, injury, or incident during service.,Service connection was denied for all claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and left shoulder disabilities are not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service. The Board found that arthritis was not noted during service within the meaning of section 3.303(b), and that any current disability is unrelated to service.

The Board has determined that the evidence currently of record is sufficient to substantiate the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea. The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea was incurred in service.