Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions, including lumbosacral strain and radiculopathies in both hips and legs.

The Board denied service connection for coronary artery disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, and a cervical spine disability. A 40 percent rating was granted for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as the evidence did not support that he was unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected major depressive disorder and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine.

The Board granted service connection for left knee meniscal tear, right knee osteoarthritis, and persistent depressive disorder with anxious distress secondary to service-connected hypothyroidism. The claims for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and a higher initial rating for his service-connected lumbosacral strain, now rated as degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis and joint disease of the lower thoracic spine.

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, to include degenerative arthritis, as the evidence did not support a finding that the Veteran's current condition was related to his active duty service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus and headaches, due to a duty-to-assist error regarding VA examinations.

The Board remands the claims for an initial evaluation more than 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of cervical spine and more than 30 percent for right upper extremity (RUE) radiculopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome to ensure adequate examinations are conducted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the need for regular aid and attendance, thus granting special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance status.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and remanded the claims for a left knee disorder, right knee disorder, low back disorder, and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The appeal was denied for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for peripheral vestibular damage with vertigo of the left ear, and remanded for further evaluation of other conditions.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the right thumb, effective December 16, 2024.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding it to be secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for the Veteran's low back disability prior to April 19, 2018.

The Veteran was granted a 40 percent disability rating for her service-connected lumbosacral strain with scoliosis, and the claim for TDIU prior to November 7, 2023, was also granted.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for low back and lower extremity radiculopathies due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding aggravation of a pre-existing condition.

The Board granted a separate 20 percent evaluation for left knee instability and denied a compensable evaluation for limitation of flexion of the left knee. The Board also remanded service connection for an esophagus disability.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the right ankle sprain and denied higher ratings for the other conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee condition, to include pain and osteoarthritis with Osgood-Schlatter disease, based on the evidence showing that the Veteran's current disability is related to an in-service motorcycle accident.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and denied service connection for tinnitus.