Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board remands the issues of service connection for various conditions due to incomplete personnel records, including those related to a court-martial.

The Board denied the rating reduction from 50 percent to 30 percent for bilateral flat feet with osteoarthritis and plantar fasciitis effective September 15, 2023, and also denied a higher rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for left-knee disability based on limitation of flexion, granted a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the left knee, and denied earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board granted service connection for a right hip disability, left ankle disability, chronic fatigue syndrome (secondary to service-connected disabilities), an acquired psychiatric disorder (unspecified depressive disorder secondary to service-connected disabilities), and headaches (secondary to service-connected disabilities). It also granted ratings of 20 percent or less for various knee and hip conditions.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's left hip replacement and granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher, for the Veteran's left knee strain manifesting as loss of extension. The rating for limitation of flexion was denied.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis to include residuals of right ankle fracture, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, medial femoral condyle osteochondritis dissecans, and osteoarthritis based on the evidence showing that these conditions originated during active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including back, shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle issues.

The Board restored the 60 percent rating for osteoarthritis in both the left and right hips, effective January 18, 2021, as the reduction was found to be improper.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right hip, DDD of the lumbar spine, tinnitus, left knee strain, right knee strain, left foot tendonitis, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, but remanded the other claims for further development.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee strain with right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronicity of care and that the current condition is not related to active duty.

The Board granted service connection for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy but denied increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS, a scar associated with it, and dismissed claims for other conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, as well as special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to improper concurrent election of multiple review options.

The Board granted restoration of a 20 percent disability rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy associated with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and IVDS, effective March 19, 2022, while denying higher ratings for other conditions. The Board also granted TDIU since February 16, 2021.

The Board granted service connection for left knee medical meniscal tear, status post arthroscopy (left knee disability), with osteoarthritis based on new and relevant evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as a TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for additional rate of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of hands and feet, as there was no evidence that her functioning in these areas were so diminished as to be equally well served by amputation with a prosthesis.