Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for traumatic arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, left hip degenerative arthritis, and right hip degenerative arthritis due to potential aggravation by his service-connected bilateral knee condition. The VA is required to provide a new opinion addressing whether these conditions were aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip degenerative arthritis and right hip degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims, including for sleep apnea, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including memory loss and MDD), bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, degenerative arthritis of the spine, right leg arthritis, and left leg arthritis. The Veteran's STRs do not contain any complaints or treatments related to these conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings for right shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his abdominal pain, which may be related to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, including instability and degenerative arthritis, are rated at 20 percent each since June 8, 2022. Separate ratings of 20 percent for instability of the left and right knees have also been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and intervertebral disc syndrome had its onset in service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability is granted. The claims of service connection for right knee, bilateral hips, and bilateral shoulders disorders are remanded.

The Veteran's back condition is granted as service connected. The Board found that the persistent observable symptoms of back pain since service supported a causal link to his active duty.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine is at least as likely as not related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, finding that her range of motion did not meet criteria for a higher rating based on functional loss due to flare-ups or other factors.

The Veteran's hypertension claim is denied as there is no evidence of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 mm/Hg or more, systolic pressure predominantly 160 mm/Hg or more, or a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 mm/Hg or more requiring continuous medication for control.,The Veteran's knee disabilities and radiculopathy claims are remanded as the effective date prior to November 28, 2014, is not established in the record.,The Veteran's hypothyroidism claim is remanded as there is no evidence of a compensable rating for PSVT.,The Veteran's cervical spine and thoracic/lumbar spine claims are remanded as there is no evidence of entitlement to an increased rating.

The Veteran's right knee strain with degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, and a separate rating of 10 percent for right knee instability is granted.

The Veteran's COPD is caused by his service-connected fibrocystic lung disease, and the claim for service connection for COPD as secondary to service-connected fibrocystic lung disease is granted. The initial rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis remains at 40 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder AC joint osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, and left ankle osteoarthritis as these conditions are found to be related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and its functional limitations during flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees, as well as instability of both knees, have been denied. The current ratings are deemed appropriate based on the severity of symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for right foot disorders, including hammer toes, hallux valgus, and osteoarthritis, finding that the conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to June 28, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and thus his TDIU claim is denied.