Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and special monthly compensation, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or entitlement to SMC based on housebound status.

The appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine was dismissed due to the appellant's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine IVDS, right shoulder strain, and right knee conditions but granted a separate 20 percent rating for his right knee meniscal tear.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to service-connected knee disabilities for further development, including an opinion on the severity of the disabilities without the ameliorative effects of medication.

The appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine was dismissed due to an untimely Notice of Disagreement.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) to obtain the Veteran's Service Dental Records.

The Board granted an effective date of August 25, 2021, for the award of service connection for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis to include Intervertebral disc syndrome (IDVS), radiculopathy of the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board restored the 40% rating for right glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis and dislocation, finding that the reduction was improper. An increased disability rating in excess of 40% was denied.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee osteoarthritis, and right knee osteoarthritis with meniscal tear as there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for bilateral knee and low back disabilities on a secondary basis due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, denied increased ratings for the right foot stress fracture and scars, restored a 40% rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, and denied earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA. The Board remanded claims for service connection for a gastrointestinal disability and increased evaluations for the low back and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS, to include as secondary to service-connected thoracolumbar spine and left shoulder disabilities, due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, type II, right hip osteoarthritis, left hip osteoarthritis, and right knee disability. These conditions are causally related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities with obesity as an intermediate step.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to a back disability due to missing records and an inadequate VA examination.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection and ratings for various conditions, denied higher ratings, and granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left shoulder was dismissed due to an untimely Notice of Disagreement and lack of a proper claim.

The Board denied service connection for pneumonia and pneumonia residuals, while remanding the claims for service connection for migraine headaches, cervical strain (claimed as degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine), radiculopathy in both upper extremities.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and remanded the claims for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral lumbar radiculopathy, and bilateral shin splints.

The Board granted service connection for left ankle collateral ligament sprain and left shoulder strain with an effective date of February 2, 2020. Service connection was also granted for headaches. The Board denied earlier effective dates for bilateral shin splints and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, but granted a 10 percent rating for bilateral shin splints.

The appeal is remanded to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error by the Agency of Original Jurisdiction before the September 2020 rating decision on appeal was issued.