Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle degenerative arthritis, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran. The GERD claim was remanded for further development.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's back disability and service connection for cervical spine and chronic sinusitis disabilities, while denying increased ratings for tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, migraines, and dyspnea on exertion.

The Board dismissed the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and denied an increased rating for erectile dysfunction, while granting a reduced rating for prostate cancer residuals.

The Board denied higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder, right lower extremity varicose veins, left lower extremity varicose veins, and did not grant a rating higher than 20 percent for a right ankle fracture with osteoarthritis or any of the other remanded claims.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle and left foot disabilities, finding that the evidence is in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for earlier effective dates for the increased 40 percent rating for service-connected lumbar degenerative arthritis with IVDS and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD and a 50 percent rating for left knee osteoarthritis, while denying increased ratings for left knee instability and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran based on chronic symptoms during service and manifestations within one year after discharge.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a bilateral knee condition, disability manifested by joint pain, claimed as polyarthritis, and low back disorder to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board denied entitlement to a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for migraines, including migraine variants, secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and granted a TDIU rating on an accrued basis.

The Board granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, right shoulder osteoarthritis, and right ear sensorineural hearing loss. The claims for an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, and increased rating for chronic fatigue syndrome were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for right hip strain as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran. The right shoulder claim was remanded due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's back disability and granted a 20 percent rating, but not higher, for radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), right lower extremity, and a 40 percent rating, but not higher, for radiculopathy (sciatic nerve), left lower extremity. Other claims were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee joint osteoarthritis and knee strain, left knee instability, and right knee strain.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis to obtain an addendum opinion and ensure compliance with VA's duty to assist.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for an increased initial rating in excess of 20 percent for left-sided lumbar radiculopathy and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the right shoulder and 10 percent for the right knee, granted a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee, and remanded several other claims including service connection for psychiatric disorders, hypertension, left knee disorder, sleep apnea, and TDIU.

The Veteran's effective date for the grant of service connection for right knee osteoarthritis was granted as of May 25, 2018.

The Board granted service connection for left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis based on the evidence showing that these conditions are related to in-service injuries.