Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral testicular epididymitis and found that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active military service. The remaining issues on appeal will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity sciatica are currently rated at the lowest possible rating of 10 percent, which is not sufficient to reflect the severity of his symptoms. Service connection for depression was denied, and entitlement to a TDIU rating remains in dispute.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left knee disability and a left hip disability, finding that there is no current diagnosis of a left hip disability. The Board also found that the Veteran's current left knee osteoarthritis was not present during his active duty training.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection, except for a left hand disorder which was granted.

The VA determined that the Veteran's service-connected sacroiliac strain, to include degenerative arthritis, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right foot disability is denied as the evidence does not show that his condition warrants a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's neck and back disabilities have been granted service connection, but the initial ratings assigned are 10 percent for both conditions. The GERD claim remains in appellate status with a current rating of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The claims are being remanded to allow for additional examinations and consideration of all evidence.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's left and right hip disabilities, finding that they did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's right knee disability, prior to August 18, 2009, was rated at 20 percent and since October 1, 2010, has been rated at 30 percent. The left knee disability, prior to January 18, 2016, was rated at 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder epicondylitis and cervical spine degenerative arthritis are not service-connected as they were not shown to be related to her military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis was denied as the condition did not originate in active service and was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected lung cancer and sarcoidosis with pulmonary and lymph node involvement.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left knee disability has been granted, with an effective date of May 28, 2008. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for degenerative arthritis and meniscal tear of the left knee.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and remanded the hypertension claim.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the increased disability rating for spondylolisthesis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine prior to a decision by the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the cause of his upper and lower extremity deficits, including whether they are due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to a need for additional VA medical records and an updated VA examination of his right knee disability.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, diagnosed as status post cervical spine fusion C3 to C6 with radiculopathy, is etiologically related to the spine injury he sustained during service.,The Veteran's low back disability (claimed as osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease) is not permanently aggravated by his service-connected anterior compression fractures of T12 and L1.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right foot first metatarsal disability, including as secondary to his service-connected right knee condition. The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected bursitis of the right shoulder with osteoarthritis and rotator cuff tear has resulted in disability approximating range of motion of the arm to midway between the side and shoulder level, but not more nearly approximating limitation to 25 degrees from the side. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.