Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an earlier effective date and higher initial ratings for service-connected low back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis and prior to June 25, 2018, for left knee arthroplasty.

The Board denied service connection for respiratory conditions, bilateral upper extremity conditions, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities but granted service connection for night sweats as they are proximately due to a service-connected condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his service-connected left shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and separation with traumatic arthritis, as the evidence showed that the condition was limited to flexion and/or abduction, limited to 120 degrees or less.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right and left hip disorders, right shoulder impingement, and degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine with spinal stenosis and bulging disc. However, a 10 percent rating was granted from April 1, 2024, for both hips based on painful motion.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's left hip, right hip, left foot, right foot, left knee, right knee, and low back disabilities as secondary to his service-connected varicose veins and bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a higher rating for left knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis and a baker's cyst, as well as service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, due to deficiencies in VA's duty to assist.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected orthopedic disabilities was granted.

The Board denied an evaluation greater than 30 percent for PTSD prior to March 10, 2020 and dismissed the claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU. The claims for service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, degenerative arthritis of the spine with cervical osteophytes, and right ankle peroneal tendonitis were remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to readjudicate previously denied claims for service connection due to a lack of new and relevant evidence.

The Board remands the issues for further development, including new examinations that comply with specific requirements.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, post-operative residuals of cervical spine surgery, L5 bilateral spondylosis with grade 1 anterolisthesis, moderate-severe foraminal stenosis, left hip osteoarthritis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, left lateral collateral ligament sprain, pes planus, and type II diabetes mellitus. The service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, with the exception of a 10 percent rating for right Achilles tendon rupture.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) due to insufficient evidence regarding herbicide exposure during the Veteran's service at Fort Gordon.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for left and right knee conditions to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left clavicle condition and trauma and stressor disorder due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Veteran was granted an earlier effective date of November 17, 2009, for the award of service connection for bilateral flat feet. The claim for an earlier effective date for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine was denied.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension, a residual scar on the left ankle, and chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, as well as secondary conditions including sciatica and major depressive disorder. The decision also denied service connection for left and right hip arthritis.

The Veteran's left knee osteoarthritis status post total knee replacement has been granted a rating of 60 percent, effective February 1, 2023. The claim for a compensable rating for left knee arthroscopy scars was denied.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the back disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for the back disability from June 8, 2023, and granted TDIU prior to November 30, 2012.