Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board remands the case for further development and readjudication of the veteran's claims.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, entitlement to TDIU, and special monthly compensation due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied a rating higher than 20 percent for right knee medial and lateral instability, but remanded the claim for more than a 10 percent rating for right knee medial compartment osteoarthritis with painful and limited motion due to inadequate VA examination reports.

The Board granted an increased rating of 20 percent for left knee limitation of flexion and a 10 percent rating for right knee limitation of flexion, effective February 24, 2025, while denying ratings in excess of the current levels for both knees.

The Board granted service connection for left hip joint replacement and osteoarthritis of the MCP and CMC joints of the right thumb, but denied service connection for bradycardia.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral hearing loss, and back disability but granted a TDIU. Several service connection claims were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for right ankle bursitis, left ankle bursitis, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, a 30 percent rating for the right knee condition, and an initial 10 percent rating for sinusitis.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for inflammatory polyarthritis of both hands and bone atrophy, secondary to other conditions, due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied higher ratings for left shoulder arthralgia and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with DDD, granted service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the lumbar spine disability, and remanded claims for increased ratings of other musculoskeletal conditions.

The veteran withdrew the appeal for service connection regarding right hip degenerative arthritis before a decision was made.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance or housebound status due to her service-connected disabilities not meeting the criteria.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and special monthly compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Board granted the appeals for severance of service connection for neck, left shoulder, and left upper extremity radiculopathy disabilities, as well as entitlement to service connection for headaches.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and degenerative disc disease (DDD) and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine as there was no evidence to support a nexus between the claimed conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a higher rating for tinnitus, and service connection for various conditions, including knees and hips.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea, as there is no current disability. The issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine are remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right hip osteoarthritis and right hip scars, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 10 percent.

The Board dismissed the veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including foot and calf pain, hammertoes, hallux valgus, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain, lower back disability, and left shoulder disability based on evidence of in-service incurrence and continuity of symptomatology.

The veteran withdrew all appeals for increased ratings of various conditions, resulting in the dismissal of all claims.