Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for a new VA examination to address the severity of the appellant's service-connected right knee, lumbar spine, and right-hand disabilities during relevant periods on appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected back disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, effective from May 12, 2021.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and hypertension was dismissed, while the claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, bilateral pes planus, left foot cuts, right foot cuts, fibromyalgia, left knee osteoarthritis, a right knee disorder, and obstructive sleep apnea were remanded for further development.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, an evaluation greater than 30 percent for residuals of right foot surgery, a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to a service-connected disability, and eligibility for special monthly compensation.

The Board granted service connection for total right and left knee replacements due to degenerative arthritis, which was presumed to have been incurred during the Veteran's active military service.

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's low back disability, effective August 4, 2023.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis in the right and left knee (flexion) but denied a compensable rating for degenerative arthritis in the right and left knee (extension).

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for left and right knee instability, but denied compensable ratings for the limitation of extension in both knees. The Board also granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities and higher evaluations for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with strain.

The Board remands the claims for service connection of degenerative arthritis in both knees due to an inadequate VA examination.

The appeal is dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's GERD and migraine headaches were granted service connection, while ratings in excess of 10% for knee conditions and shin splints were denied. The Board also remanded several other claims for further development.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain/degenerative arthritis of the spine/disc displacement, effective from the date of the last remand.

The Board remands the issues of an initial rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and entitlement to a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability due to service connected disabilities (TDIU) for further development.

The Board denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for coronary artery disease and remanded several issues, but granted special monthly compensation at the intermediate rate effective February 24, 2014.

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, including metatarsalgia, hallux valgus, and osteoarthritis, as the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted readjudication of the service connection claim for sinusitis due to new and relevant evidence, but remanded other claims for further development.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right hip degenerative arthritis.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left foot osteoarthritis, left hallux valgus, right hallux valgus, and right foot strain due to a need for VA examinations and medical opinions.