Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee condition is being remanded due to the need for further examination.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his lumbar spine condition is also being remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical degenerative disc disease as due to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that his current condition is more likely related to age and his service-connected lumbar strain than to active service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected mild degenerative arthritis of the left index finger was denied as this disability is currently rated at its maximum allowable under VA regulations.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded both the claim for an increased rating for back disability and the service connection claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder due to additional consideration of lay evidence.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability, including impingement, rotator cuff and bicipital tendonitis, glenohumbral osteoarthritis, and acromioclavicular osteoarthritis, is being remanded for further evaluation. The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also being remanded due to its inextricably intertwined nature with the right shoulder disability claim.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee condition, finding that the Veteran's preexisting left knee semilunar cartilage condition did not worsen during his military service and that there is no clear and unmistakable evidence of a pre-existing left knee osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and dextroscoliosis, cervical DJD, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, bilateral shoulder degenerative arthritis and DJD, bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculoapthy, plantar fasciitis and calcaneal spur, tinea corporis, and varicose veins are all granted. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is rated at 70%.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination of the Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis with tri-compartmental osteophytosis and joint space narrowing, as it was last examined in 2013. The Veteran is currently incarcerated and efforts must be made to have him examined at his correctional facility or by a VA examiner.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder and knee disabilities, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left hip osteoarthritis is related to a fall during ACDUTRA service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral shoulder and knee disorders, but granted service connection for cervical degenerative arthritis and DDD. The appeal is not about service connection at all in the case of a bilateral hip disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, TDIU prior to February 6, 2020, and special adapted housing/special home adaptation grant are being remanded due to the need for additional development including medical examinations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not incurred during his active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected ALL treatment is found to be the cause of his chronic fatigue, shortness of breath, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), skin conditions with dermoid cysts, insomnia, degenerative arthritis, mechanical back pain, facet joint arthropathy, spondylosis, left knee disability, right knee disability, and right ankle disability.,The Veteran's service-connected ALL treatment is found to be the cause of his erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including low back and neck conditions, major depressive disorder, traumatic brain injury, and right foot hallux valgus with degenerative arthritis, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since September 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis is granted service connection as it began during service and continues to the present.,Service connection for an eye disability (refractive error) is denied as there are no current diagnoses of other eye disabilities.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted with a 10 percent rating. The issues of an increased rating for degenerative arthritis and hearing loss are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and granted. His bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, diabetes mellitus type II, prostate cancer, ischemic heart disease, right shoulder osteoarthritis with strain, and back disability are all found to be related to his active duty service.