Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with herniated disc and spinal stenosis, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy, as well as entitlement to special monthly compensation at the housebound rate, due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for cervical spondylosis, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, sore ribs, mild degenerative arthritis of the interphalangeal joints and metacarpophalangeal joints of the right hand, and a left hip disability to obtain adequate VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and associating relevant treatment records with the file.

The Board granted service connection for left and right knee disabilities, as well as a left shoulder disability secondary to a left upper extremity radiculopathy. The decision also granted increased ratings for certain periods of time for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and right and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hip disabilities of degenerative arthritis and hip strain as secondary to a service-connected lumbosacral spine disability, but remanded the issue of an arthritis disorder with involvement of the shoulders.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for an increased rating and service connection due to the need for additional evidence and examinations.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance, and adaptive equipment due to permanent loss of use of one hand resulting from service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted eligibility for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a February 2024 rating decision, as it pertains to awards of higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and bilateral hallux valgus. The appeal was denied with respect to service connection for bilateral lower sciatic radiculopathy.

The appeal was dismissed for issues related to the reduction in rating, increased ratings, and service connection, with some grants of 40% ratings for radiculopathy and TDIU.

The Board granted a disability rating of 40 percent for the service-connected thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, IVDS and a 50 percent rating for the right foot pes planus with right 5th tarsometatarsal joint arthritis combined with left foot plantar fasciitis from December 10, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of an increased 40 percent rating for right knee degenerative arthritis with limitation of extension, as well as other related claims.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's left knee quadriceps tendon rupture status post repair, to include degenerative arthritis, but granted an initial 10 percent rating for hypertension.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right ankle sprain with instability and degenerative arthritis, non-dominant left wrist synovial cyst, and painful scar of the left hand due to an inadequate VA examination.

The appeal for service connection for right ankle disability was dismissed due to an erroneous docket assignment.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date than August 24, 2010, for the award of service connection for a lumbar spine disability.

The Board granted service connection for right foot and left foot gout with degenerative arthritis and osteopenia, which are related to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine as secondary to achilles tendinopathy of the left foot.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, right and left shoulder acromioclavicular degenerative joint disease, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis to obtain medical opinions under 38 U.S.C. § 1168 regarding toxic exposure risk activities during service in Southwest Asia.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for tinnitus to September 23, 2020 and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, GERD, hypothyroidism, neck disability, PTSD, acquired psychiatric disorder, degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine, and osteoarthritis.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for left knee and lumbar spine disabilities to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's conditions without consideration of any ameliorative effects of medication.