Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for a right shoulder disability, finding no evidence of chronicity in service or continuity of symptomatology and no medical nexus between the current condition and an in-service injury.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar and cervical spine, maxillary sinusitis, and allergic rhinitis due to a need for additional VA examinations.

The Board granted an effective date of January 20, 2022, for the awards of service connection for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ.

The Board granted service connection for the right ankle condition and denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection and increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease.

The Board granted an effective date of June 21, 2011, for the award of a 50 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis with right foot plantar rupture at the right 2nd metatarsal phalangeal joint, associated with osteoarthritis of the right great toe.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of February 26, 2018, for the grant of service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis based on a line of duty determination added to the claims file in February 2022.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, low back and right shoulder as the conditions were not related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board remands the matter for an addendum medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's left hip disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected foot disabilities.

The Board granted a disability evaluation of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral plantar fasciitis with bilateral degenerative arthritis based on severe symptoms and marked deformity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy, sciatic nerve involvement and remanded the claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine.

The Board granted a disability rating of 60 percent for the Veteran's status post right and left knee replacements, as well as a 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board remands the claims for an initial compensable disability rating for right hip degenerative arthritis with iliopsoas tendonitis, limitation of extension and thigh impairment prior to January 13, 2022, due to a need for a retrospective medical opinion that discounts the beneficial effects of medication.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis with IVDS, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied increased ratings for PTSD, left shoulder rotator cuff tear, and dermatitis while granting a 20% rating for the left ankle disability and a 10% rating for the right great toe scar. The Veteran's eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance was also denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition and right hip condition as additional evidence is needed to address whether these conditions are secondary to the Veteran's service-connected knee conditions.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's back disability prior to September 29, 2020, and remanded the claim for service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain, left hip disability (degenerative arthritis and trochanteric pain syndrome), right hip disability (degenerative arthritis and trochanteric pain syndrome), and right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Board granted service connection for right hallux rigidus, right great toe osteoarthritis, and bilateral pes cavus as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected plantar fasciitis. The rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis was increased from 30% prior to December 8, 2015, to 50% effective that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right foot/ankle disorders, finding no evidence of a chronic condition in service or within one year of separation, and no credible evidence of continuity of symptomatology.