Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left knee degenerative arthritis did not onset in service or within one year of service discharge, and is not etiologically related to service. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's low back disability, including addressing concerns raised by the Court regarding functional loss due to pain and flare-ups. The appeal is now pending again with the RO.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee and lumbar degenerative conditions, meet the criteria for a TDIU due to their combined effect on his ability to work.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his left knee condition, as per Correia v. McDonald (2016). The case will be returned to the Board after further development.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions are related to in-service injuries. The acquired psychiatric disorder is also found to be related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including headaches with dizziness, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine. The Veteran's combined disability rating is now 100 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cirrhosis of the liver, cervical spine disability, right shoulder arthritis, and right knee arthritis did not manifest during service or within one year of separation from service. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment for the period prior to September 25, 2013.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the right foot is currently rated at 10 percent, which reflects moderate impairment. The Board finds that this rating adequately captures his disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and related conditions is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records, including SSA records. The case will be returned to the Board after further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability and uterine fibroids with hysterectomy are service-connected, as they originated during her active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, and thus grants service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's claim for higher ratings and service connection were denied. The low back disability is currently rated at 40 percent, effective May 11, 2015.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a neck disability and bilateral shoulder disability have been denied as there is no evidence of such disabilities during active service or within one year of discharge, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's low back disability is not shown to meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluation of his left shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Veteran is not rendered unable to obtain (secure) or maintain (follow) substantially gainful employment as a result of service-connected disabilities for any period.