Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis, meniscal tear status post arthroscopic surgery with degenerative joint disease, and artificial knee joint replacement based on the evidence supporting a direct link to the Veteran's active service.

The Board remands the matter to request clarification from the Veteran regarding his employment history and whether any special accommodations due to service-connected disabilities were arranged by his employer.

The Board denied service connection for a sleep disability, endometriosis, and a heart disability. The rating assigned was 40 percent for right upper extremity radiculopathy from March 27, 2018, and 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy from July 3, 2017.

The Board granted an initial increased rating of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine from August 23, 2013, to October 6, 2021.

The Board granted an effective date of March 31, 2014, for the awards of service connection for left knee osteoarthritis with painful motion and left knee osteoarthritis.

The Board denied the claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, granted an earlier effective date for left lower extremity scars, but did not assign a compensable rating for them from August 23, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for left knee meniscal tear with patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the spine with mild spondylosis and segmental instability as secondary to bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral strain, and spinal stenosis.

The Board denied a compensable rating for hypertension and remanded the issues of increased ratings for left knee, right knee, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities due to inadequate medical evidence.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection and a higher initial rating for cervical spine degenerative disc disease with osteoarthritis and spondylosis.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn and dismissed by the Veteran's representative prior to the requested hearing, as the Veteran was satisfied with his current ratings.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for lumbar strain and degenerative arthritis to allow for a de novo review by the AOJ, as new and relevant evidence has been submitted.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for service connection for various degenerative arthritic conditions of multiple joints and the lower back, as additional evidence is needed.

The Board remands the appeal for a new VA examination to evaluate the current severity of the service-connected right ankle disability, considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher disability ratings or service connection.

The Board granted service connection for left knee joint osteoarthritis and remanded the claim for right knee joint osteoarthritis.

The Board granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and remanded the claim for sleep apnea.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral flat feet and remanded the other issues for further development.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of April 23, 2013, for the grant of service connection for left knee disability.

The Board granted an effective date for TDIU and SMC from September 1, 2017, but denied earlier effective dates for service connection of various conditions. It also granted a 10% rating for GERD starting July 5, 2016, and other ratings as detailed.