Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for left shoulder impingement syndrome with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis and right shoulder impingement with rotator cuff tendonitis, labral tear and glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis based on a causal relationship to the Veteran's active service.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as a new VA examination is necessary to assess the current severity of the condition.

The Board remands the claims for a supplemental medical opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's knee and ankle disabilities without medication, as well as an opinion on the etiology of his psychiatric conditions.

The Board granted a 40 percent initial rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis, but denied a temporary total disability rating subsequent to spinal cord stimulator implantation.

The appeal of the proposed reduction of the disability evaluation for low back degenerative arthritis from 40 percent to 10 percent was dismissed because it was a notice of a future determination and not an adjudicative determination.

The Board granted an effective date of September 18, 1995, for the award of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee in all its manifestations but denied increased ratings from May 8, 2023.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to August 22, 2024.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for migraines was granted, effective July 1, 2022. The claims for service connection for various conditions were either denied or remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection of various conditions, except for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy which were granted an effective date of August 4, 2013.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a higher rating for lumbosacral strain with sacroiliitis and degenerative arthritis of the neck, but granted a 20 percent rating for paralysis of the bilateral upper radicular groups beginning November 10, 2022.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis, lumbar spine, left hand nerve damage, right hand nerve damage, right lower extremity (RLE) nerve damage, and left lower extremity (LLE) nerve damage. The claim for a compensable rating for hypertension prior to March 8, 2024, was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis, lumbar spine, left hand nerve damage, right hand nerve damage, right lower extremity (RLE) nerve damage, and left lower extremity (LLE) nerve damage. The claim for a compensable rating for hypertension prior to March 8, 2024, was also denied.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's symptoms of arthritis were chronic during his active service.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for left hip impairment of thigh and remanded other claims related to the same condition, as well as increased rating claims.

The Board remands the matter for a new opinion regarding the period of convalescence required following the Veteran's September 1, 2022, surgery.

The Board granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and denied it for left ear hearing loss, with an effective date of June 14, 2023, for the award of service connection for tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, as well as bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy.

The veteran withdrew his appeal for an initial compensable rating for right knee joint osteoarthritis before the Board promulgated a decision.

The Board remands the claim for a compensable rating for service-connected degenerative arthritis of left knee to obtain an addendum medical opinion.