Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for IVDS with degenerative arthritis and lumbar strain was granted, resulting in a 40 percent rating before June 17, 2020, and a 50 percent rating from that date.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection and denied increased ratings, as there was no evidence supporting a diagnosis of TBI, adiposity-based chronic disease, or carpal tunnel syndrome related to service. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea was dismissed due to a previous grant of service connection.

The Board granted the Veteran's appeal for reinstatement of a 20 percent rating and an increased rating to 30 percent for cervical strain.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis, IVDS, and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine and assigned a 10 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board granted an effective date of August 4, 2022, for the award of service connection for left knee osteoarthritis.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for major depressive disorder and remanded claims for service connection, increased ratings, and TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for various orthopedic conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable evaluation under applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's migraine headaches and right heel tendonitis with osteoarthritis of the right ankle were granted ratings, and a TDIU was also granted.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to duty-to-assist errors that occurred prior to the October 2023 and February 2024 rating decisions.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of increased disability ratings and DEA benefits, but denied earlier effective dates for PTSD and knee instability.

The Board remands the claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for a low back disability to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the condition, specifically focusing on the dates of diagnosis for ankylosing spondylitis and spinal stenosis.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, but remanded the claim for a left foot disorder, diagnosed as hallux rigidus.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lower spine, left knee meniscal tear, and right hip strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left great toe fracture residuals with degenerative joint disease and hallux rigidus.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability, diagnosed as acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, due to missing service treatment records and an inadequate VA medical opinion.

The Veteran withdrew all pending claims and appeals, effective February 8, 2021.

The Board granted the restoration of a 30 percent disability rating for service-connected chronic sinusitis and denied the restoration of a 50 percent disability rating for service-connected migraines, as well as other increased ratings.

The veteran withdrew the appeal for all service connection and increased rating claims.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis with DDD of the lumbar spine and an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder (MDD) with anxious distress.

The Board granted an effective date of October 1, 1993, for the grant of service connection for sleep apnea and April 10, 2006, for the grant of service connection for a lumbar disability. The claim for an earlier effective date prior to January 23, 2019, for the grant of service connection for mitral regurgitation was denied.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for degenerative arthritis status post patellar repair, left knee with limitation of flexion and a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis status post patellar repair, left knee with limitation of extension for additional development.