Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran is granted an annual clothing allowance for the year 2013 due to service-connected disabilities resulting in the need for back and knee braces that cause wear and tear on his outer garments.

The Veteran's right knee disability, prior to February 18, 2009, was manifested by x-ray evidence of arthritis and limitation of flexion. The preponderance of the evidence is against a finding of instability or recurrent subluxation.

The Board has granted service connection for a ventral hernia. The remaining claim of service connection for left shoulder disability is being remanded to the AOJ.

The Veteran's low back disability was granted service connection and rated at a 10 percent rating prior to February 2, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar osteoarthritis and irritable bowel syndrome have been reopened, but the claims are not granted. The effective date of any future grant will be determined based on when the claim was received.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, including IVDS and degenerative arthritis, is being remanded due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of his current condition.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining missing personnel records and providing etiology opinions regarding the Veteran's low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, conducting a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected residuals of a left elbow fracture with degenerative arthritis, and readjudicating the issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's TDIU claim for additional development, including obtaining a VA opinion regarding whether his service-connected disabilities preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The case is also referred to VA's Director of C&P Service for consideration of entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examiner with an opinion regarding the relationship between his current knee disorders and service.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability was reduced from 20% to 10%, effective August 1, 2014. The reduction was proper as the condition did not improve such that a higher rating would be warranted.

Service connection was granted for a disability manifested by shortness of breath and sleep apnea, but not for Meniere's disease. The Veteran's right knee arthritis is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, which the VA examiner concluded was less likely than not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including updated VA examinations and further review of his medical records.

The Veteran's back disability is rated at 60 percent, the maximum under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board found that his symptoms do not warrant a higher rating due to lack of unfavorable ankylosis or additional functional loss.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and completion of forms related to TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis and bursitis are causally related to his service-connected right shoulder disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His left shoulder osteoarthritis was rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5201.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and securing relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and lumbar spine disabilities are related to his service-connected residuals of a left distal tibia and fibula fracture.