Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for left sciatic nerve radiculopathy and remanded the claim for a higher rating for lumbar spine disability due to inadequate examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for GERD with chronic diarrhea, headache disorder, and right shoulder strain and bicipital tendonitis. The claim for a compensable rating for right ring finger distal phalanx fracture and degenerative arthritis was remanded.

The appeals for service connection and earlier effective date were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied increased ratings for right and left lower extremity peripheral vascular disease prior to November 14, 2021, but granted a 40 percent rating for the left lower extremity from that date. The Board also granted a 20 percent rating for left knee degenerative arthritis with meniscal tear status post arthroscopic debridement and meniscectomy effective February 23, 2023.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine.

The Board remands the claim for a rating higher than 10 percent for a right knee disorder with osteoarthritis to correct a pre-decisional error of the duty to assist.

The appeal of the duty to assist error identified in the November 2023 rating decision is dismissed, and the rating reduction from 10 percent to 20 percent for the service-connected back disability was improper, with restoration granted.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis and a neck disability, to include degenerative arthritis, cervical spondylosis, neuroforaminal narrowing with upper extremity radiculopathy, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and mechanical cervical pain syndrome, as additional evidence has been received since the last decision.

The Board remands the claims for additional development, specifically to obtain retrospective VA medical opinions and address the ameliorative effects of medication.

The appeal for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis was dismissed as there is no decision upon which to base an appeal.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder (MDD) and denied an increased disability rating in excess of 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected chronic post-traumatic headaches, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied an increased initial rating for right ankle degenerative arthritis but granted a separate 20 percent rating for right ankle instability, and denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection.

The case is remanded for additional development and readjudication of the claims for increased ratings and TDIU.

The Board remands the matter for a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis status-post total knee replacement.

The Board denied service connection for left-hand, right-hand degenerative arthritis (other than posttraumatic), and right shoulder osteoarthritis as the evidence did not support a link to the Veteran's active military service.

The appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent from November 13, 2009 to April 18, 2018 was dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal. The appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent since April 19, 2018 was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a neck disability, a bowel disability, and a low back disability.

The appeal of the rejection of the December 2, 2013, NOD is granted, and an effective date of November 15, 2010, for service connection of low back disability is assigned. A 40 percent rating for the low back disability from February 3, 2016, is also granted.

The Board granted service connection for a left-hand disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis with carpal tunnel syndrome, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right thumb disability.