Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities have been rated at 10 percent prior to September 30, 2016. From September 30, 2016, the ratings were increased to 20 percent for each knee.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine has been rated at 40 percent since September 11, 2015. This is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his right knee, left knee, and left ankle disabilities as secondary to a service-connected disability. The claim for service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability is also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's increased rating claims for his lumbosacral strain, left knee, and right shoulder disabilities. The case is now being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity disability, including osteoarthritis of the hands, wrists, and shoulders, right lateral epicondylitis (right elbow tendonitis), and right elbow tendonitis, is not related to service. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's low back disability is granted as service-connected. The chest and left knee disabilities are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for gout and entitlement to TDIU due to inadequate examination reports and other procedural issues.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, was incurred during his active service and is granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current thoracic spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, is related to symptoms he experienced during service and grants his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck and upper back disability is etiologically related to her active duty service.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran's major depressive disorder (MDD) is caused by her service-connected lumbar and cervical disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion regarding his ability to work based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is at least a 50% likelihood that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine began during his military service and continues to this day. The claim for service connection is therefore granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disorder is not service-connected, as it did not manifest during service or due to a service-connected condition. The examiner found no evidence of an in-service injury and concluded that the degenerative changes were age-related.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder and right arm numbness, finding that the Veteran's current conditions were not incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's claims for hypertension, pes planus, and left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development including VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination and completion of the VA Form 21-8940. The TDIU claim will be readjudicated based on the updated information.

The Veteran's left knee disability was found to be manifested by noncompensable limitation of motion, dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking and pain, and slight lateral instability. The VA determined that the current ratings were appropriate for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unable to secure and follow any form of substantially gainful employment prior to May 13, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right and left shoulder disorders were denied as the evidence did not show that the conditions warranted a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's mechanical low back pain prior to July 18, 2016 was manifested by chronic pain and limited forward flexion to at most 60 degrees. The Board found that the disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.