Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board granted an effective date of April 22, 2020, for compensable ratings and service connection for sciatic nerve radiculopathy in the right and left lower extremities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The appeal of the propriety of the reduction from 40 percent to 10 percent disabling, effective May 18, 2021, for service-connected degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew the appeal.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of right knee strain with osteoarthritis to correct an error by the AOJ in failing to obtain relevant medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee strain with tricompartmental osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis right knee, as there was no evidence of flexion or extension limited to 30 degrees, recurrent subluxation, lateral instability, ankylosis, impairment of the tibia or fibula, meniscal conditions, or genu recurvatum.

The veteran withdrew the appeal concerning multiple issues, including PTSD, pes planus, cervical strain and degenerative arthritis, and posttraumatic headaches.

The Board granted service connection for chronic osteoarthritis of the left and right upper extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hand and wrist conditions.

The Board remands the claim for a new opinion adequate for purposes of VA adjudication, as it finds that the AOJ has not substantially complied with both remand instructions.

The Board denied entitlement to ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to June 16, 2010; 20 percent from June 16, 2010, to March 19, 2024; and 40 percent from March 20, 2024, for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and left shoulder disabilities due to the Veteran's refusal to attend VA examinations. The claims for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral foot conditions, and bronchitis were remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals related to service connection and higher rating for various conditions, including PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the spine, eczema, left ankle disorder, migraine headaches, and nose bleeds.

The Board granted an initial rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, but denied higher ratings for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for right shoulder degenerative arthritis to obtain an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's condition is related to his active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings of the Veteran's service-connected conditions due to inadequate VA examinations and concerns about the Veteran's credibility regarding the reported severity of his disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for osteoarthritis left hip and remanded the claims for bilateral flat foot, lumbosacral strain, and right knee strain.

The Board granted service connection for left shoulder strain and degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome of the cervical spine, but remanded claims for left knee condition and traumatic brain injury.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the ratings and service connection of various conditions, granted a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), but denied higher ratings for other conditions.

The Board granted an initial 40 percent rating for the service-connected back disability and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied a compensable rating for the post-surgical scar on the right great toe.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and effective dates as they were improperly filed under the new Direct Review docket system.