Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for a thoracolumbar spine disability, to include degenerative arthritis. The other issues are remanded.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, finding it related to an in-service injury. The heart condition issue was remanded for further development.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent and a rating in excess of 20 percent for service-connected lumbar spine disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The appeal is remanded to obtain a new VA examination and retrospective opinion that comply with the requirements of Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Board granted a rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's low back disability from January 8, 2009 to December 21, 2020.

The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for her neck disability beginning April 27, 2018, and had some issues denied or remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis as further development is needed to properly address a complete presumption of soundness rebuttal analysis.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, finding it to be etiologically related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, tinnitus, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, Hepatitis C, a thoracolumbar spine disability, and a left knee disability, as the evidence did not support a finding of a current diagnosis or a link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as the evidence did not show that she was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board granted an initial rating of 70 percent for PTSD, denied a higher rating for the lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, and granted separate ratings of 10 percent each for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy. A TDIU was also granted.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder and sinusitis, but remanded claims for post-traumatic osteoarthritis and osteoporosis due to a need for further evidence.

The Board granted ratings of 70 percent for major depressive disorder and 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, while denying higher ratings for sleep apnea with COPD and chronic headaches. TDIU was granted based on the service-connected major depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder, as there was no evidence of a current disability.

The Board remands the claims for an earlier effective date of March 9, 2015, for service connection related to osteochondroma.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of posterior cervical fusion C5-C7 with degenerative arthritis of the spine, bilateral knee tendonitis and osteoarthritis, and tension headaches (also claimed as migraines).

The Board denied the claims for an increased rating and service connection, but remanded certain issues for further development.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and an earlier effective date, as well as a TDIU claim, due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for new examinations.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and bipolar with sleep problems/insomnia), left hip osteoarthritis, and left shoulder strain.

The Board granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right ankle with soft tissue swelling, and for radiculopathy in both lower extremities due to a service-connected back disability. The Veteran was also granted an increased rating of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.