Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lumbar strain, bilateral knee degenerative joint disease (DJD), right shoulder disorders including osteoarthritis and impingement, and bilateral ankle arthritis. The diagnoses were not deemed to be related to service.

The Veteran's lower back condition and left knee condition are found to be at least as likely as not aggravated or proximately due to his service-connected right knee disability, respectively.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized by meniscal tear with episodes of pain, locking, and effusion, resulted in a compensable rating for limitation of extension. The Board granted the Veteran a separate 20 percent rating since March 6, 2012, based on his limited right knee extension.

The Board found that the Veteran's hospitalization was primarily for a nonservice-connected condition, and her service-connected back disabilities did not contribute to the length of her hospital stay.

The Veteran seeks service connection for osteoarthritis with disc bulge at L5-S1, T11-T12, which he claims is related to an in-service motor vehicle accident. The Board has determined that a VA examination and medical opinion are needed to determine if the current condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's left knee patellar tendon rupture and instability have been rated, but the increased rating for instability from July 8, 2015 is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled hearing. His claims for increased ratings for shoulder disabilities remain in appellate status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected thoracic and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with thoracic spine dextrorotoscoliosis, left ankle sprain and left Achilles calcaneal spur, restless leg syndrome, and right shoulder strain.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent since March 2010. The VA examinations have shown limited motion and osteoarthritis, but no additional limitation of motion or instability warranting a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal due to a withdrawal request from the appellant's authorized representative.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral shoulder disability, including osteoarthritis, is due to his in-service injury and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left leg disabilities, including chondromalacia and osteoarthritis of the knee and an associated ganglion cyst of the hip, are not related to his military service. The Board determined that the Veteran's symptoms were more likely due to normal aging process, previous injuries, and occupational stress.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination for his right hip disability. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for the right hip and lumbar spine disabilities are also being remanded.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by painful and weak motion with unfavorable ankylosis to 25 degrees from the side, does not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to a request for withdrawal from the appellant.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right leg and hip disabilities are related to his service-connected injury in service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches is denied as there is no evidence of a headache disorder during the pendency of his claim. The claims for increased ratings and service connection for other conditions are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are not service-connected, as they are not shown to be directly related to his military service or a service-connected condition. The VA opinions provided do not support a finding of secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA treatment records and SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU will be readjudicated after these records are obtained.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, left knee fracture with degenerative joint disease, and chronic left quadriceps muscle strain were all granted initial compensable evaluations.,Subsequent to these grants, the Veteran was awarded increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities.