Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various degenerative arthritides and impairment syndrome to obtain additional VA addendum opinion that complies with the terms of the Joint Motion and issue a supplemental statement of the case.

The Board remands the appeal to obtain a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis for the periods on appeal.

The Board granted a separate disability rating of 40 percent for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and a separate evaluation of 50 percent for an acquired psychiatric disorder, characterized as generalized anxiety disorder with unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis of the back and feet, as well as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), due to insufficient evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board remands the claims for further development and to obtain additional medical opinions.

The appeals for service connection for various conditions are dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, effective May 12, 2023, but denied an earlier effective date for the lumbosacral strain.

The Board granted a separate noncompensable rating for left knee condition limitation of extension effective May 25, 2021, and a 10 percent rating for left knee instability.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis with IVDS, to include as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining outstanding VA medical records and an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's functional loss without the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the left temporomandibular joint, finding that the Veteran's condition had its clinical onset during his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance due to a lack of evidence showing that his service-connected disabilities required regular aid and attendance from another person.

The Board remands the claim for a back condition to include degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease as secondary to his service-connected disabilities due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board granted service connection for right knee chondromalacia and degenerative arthritis status post meniscal tear, as well as left knee degenerative arthritis status post meniscal tear, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board remands the claim for a new medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board remands the claims for further development to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, including providing an additional VA examination.

The Board granted increased ratings of 30 percent for the Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis with limited extension, right knee instability, left knee limitation of flexion, and left knee instability.

The Board granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board granted service connection for hypothyroidism and remanded several claims, while dismissing or denying the rest.

The Board granted service connection for a back condition (degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, and spinal stenosis) but dismissed an appeal seeking a rating in excess of 10 percent for right eye retinal tear/detachment.