Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board granted a revision of the February 2019 rating decision on the basis of clear and unmistakable error, awarding a 10 percent rating for bilateral foot degenerative arthritis effective October 5, 2006.

The Board granted service connection for left and right knee disorders but denied service connection for a low back disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and headache disorder.

The Board granted increased ratings for right and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, effective March 14, 2019, and a 10 percent rating for right and left hip limitation of extension, effective July 15, 2020. Other claims were denied.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis, lower thoracic region levoscoliosis, and posterior facet sclerosis from L4-S1, resolving all doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis as a secondary condition to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and a separate compensable evaluation, as well as a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids.

The Board granted service connection for left lower extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left shoulder degenerative arthritis and a partial-thickness bursal tendon tear, all related to herbicide agent exposure in service.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's right acromioclavicular joint separation with osteoarthritis and remanded the service connection claim for polyuria.

The Board remands the case to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including obtaining private treatment and Social Security Administration records.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of service connection for sleep apnea and granted increased ratings for diabetic peripheral neuropathy in the lower extremities. However, it denied earlier effective dates for other conditions and increased ratings for atrial fibrillation.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis. The left knee and gastrointestinal (stomach) disabilities were remanded for further evidence.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis, left hand and PTSD with Major Depressive Disorder, and Alcohol Use Disorder. The claims for asthma and sleep apnea were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for left hip degenerative arthritis, right hip degenerative arthritis, and tinnitus. It also granted a TDIU from September 24, 2021, and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) from that date.

The Board granted an effective date of November 8, 2020, for the award of service connection for various disabilities including cervical spine stenosis, degenerative arthritis, IVDS status post fusion surgery with residuals, right and left shoulder strains and degenerative arthritis status post joint replacement with residuals, right and left knee strains and degenerative arthritis status post joint replacement with residuals, left hip degenerative arthritis, limitation of extension of the right thigh, limitation of abduction of the right thigh, limitation of extension of the left thigh, and limitation of abduction of the left thigh.

The veteran withdrew the appeal of the May 2021 rating decision, and the Board dismissed the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for right knee joint osteoarthritis and chondromalacia, finding no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within the applicable presumptive period. The claim was also denied based on a lack of medical nexus between the current disability and an in-service injury.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, to include degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis/spondylolisthesis due to an inadequate VA etiology opinion.

The Board denied service connection for multiple joint arthritis, heart disease, and memory loss. The Veteran's claims were not supported by sufficient evidence of in-service injury or disease.

The appeal for an evaluation higher than 30 percent for service-connected PTSD was dismissed, and the initial evaluations for hemorrhoids, iron deficiency anemia, and other specified eating disorder were denied. The Board remanded several claims for further development.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of both hips and obstructive sleep apnea due to a need for further evidentiary development.