Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claim for service connection of a back condition as secondary to PTSD due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The veteran withdrew all appeals before the Board, and the appeal is dismissed.

The veteran withdrew the appeal before a decision was made, and therefore the appeal is dismissed.

The Board granted the restoration of a 20 percent evaluation for degenerative osteoarthritis of the low back, effective January 1, 2024, as the evidence did not show actual improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied ratings in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome. The other issues, including service connection for various conditions, were remanded.

The Board granted an effective date of November 16, 2021, for the grant of service connection for cervical strain and various right knee conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support a compensable rating or service connection for any of the conditions appealed.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining a retrospective opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities and an etiology opinion for obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back condition, lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee condition, and foot conditions, preclude him from securing and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board granted an effective date of November 19, 2019, for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with degenerative arthritis and left lower extremity radiculopathies but denied earlier effective dates for other conditions.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral degenerative arthritis and strain based on the Veteran's continuous symptoms since separation from service.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that it was caused by his active service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right knee strain with osteoarthritis as a new VA examination is necessary to determine if the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities are related to his time in service or aggravated by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for lumbar laminectomy scar residuals, restored the 30 percent rating for nephrectomy scar residuals, and denied a compensable rating for lumbar laminectomy scar residuals. The cervical spine claims were remanded.

The Board granted an effective date of July 25, 2016, for the grant of service connection and ratings for PTSD, lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a low back condition and right lower extremity radiculopathy as new VA examinations are needed to determine their nature and etiology.

The Board remands the claims for further development and evidence gathering, including obtaining complete Social Security Administration records.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for the Veteran's service-connected adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the right ankle.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right hip osteoarthritis and a compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding functional ankylosis and aggravation of obstructive sleep apnea by service-connected disabilities.