Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board granted an initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's left ankle disability, but denied increased ratings for left ear sensorineural hearing loss and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board granted service connection for right and left shoulder disabilities but denied service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use due to several lower extremity disabilities, as no effective function remains other than that which would be equally well served by an amputation stump with a prosthesis.

The appeal for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities and left and right knee disabilities was dismissed due to a procedural error in docketing the same claims under two different dockets.

The Board remands the claims for further development to obtain a VA examination and medical opinion that reconciles the October 2019 private medical report and the March 2020 VA examination report.

The Board remands the claims for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right and left knee osteoarthritis due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for both the left and right knee disabilities based on the medical evidence not supporting higher ratings under applicable criteria.

The Board remands the claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder condition to obtain an addendum opinion addressing the ameliorative effects of medication and treatments on his condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and a separate rating for left lower extremity femoral radiculopathy, finding that his lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board remands the issues of a rating greater than 10 percent for service-connected right knee instability and left knee strain with osteoarthritis and patellofemoral chondromalacia prior to September 7, 2016, as additional medical opinion is needed.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disability and denied increased ratings for left and right knee instability, but granted an evaluation of 20 percent from April 9, 2012 for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board granted service connection for right knee joint osteoarthritis and osteopenia with degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence is at least in relative equipoise that the Veteran's right knee condition is related to his active military service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for not timely submitting a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) within one year from the date of the mailing of an adverse decision.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease, lumbosacral spine, as the Veteran's lumbar spine disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating at any point during the appeal period.

The Board granted service connection for a low back condition and a right shoulder condition as secondary to the Veteran's already service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and remanded the claim for further development regarding his left knee status post arthroscopic repair with degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in actual loss of use of the lower extremities, thus granting eligibility for financial assistance to purchase an automobile or other conveyance.

The Board remands the matter for an additional medical opinion to assess whether the Veteran's low back condition is caused or aggravated by his service-connected knee and ankle disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and records.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including heart disorder, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, lumbosacral strain, cold weather injuries, sinusitis, degenerative arthritis, and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to obtain a TERA memorandum and appropriate medical examinations.