Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board is remanding the claim to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error, specifically the failure to notify the Veteran of his right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The Board remands the claims for increased evaluations of bilateral knee osteoarthritis and service connection for a cervical spine condition, to include as secondary to a lumbar condition, due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for basal cell carcinoma and remanded the claims for left ankle, right ankle, left hand, right hand, left knee, and right knee degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for reentrance into a VR&E program for additional education to prepare for suitable employment in healthcare or finance, as he was found not to have an employment handicap.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, rhinitis, chronic diarrhea, numbness of the left leg and arm, cervical spine disorder, GERD, ureterolithiasis, chest pains and heart palpitations, and lower back pain, as the VA examinations are inadequate.

The Board denied the Veteran's motions for reversal of previous rating decisions that denied service connection for hearing loss and intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis of the spine on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE).

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board granted service connection for right knee joint osteoarthritis, left knee total arthroplasty, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obstructive sleep apnea, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for hypertension, coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, type I and II, right foot osteoarthritis, headaches, steatosis, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

The Board granted increased ratings and effective dates for the veteran's service-connected conditions, including OTSD, degenerative arthritis of the spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied an increased rating for his back disability.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the spine, finding that the claim was final after a withdrawal and that April 22, 2022 is the appropriate effective date.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss (right and left ear), migraines, a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis and lumbosacral strain, and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claim for service connection for a left ankle condition was remanded.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease other than IVDS and remanded the claims for left shoulder degenerative arthritis, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, a bilateral ankle disorder, and a bilateral finger disorder.

The Board remands the claims for a new VA examination to determine the severity of the Veteran's service-connected hip and knee conditions, as the previous examinations did not adequately address additional functional impairment during flare-ups.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for osteoarthritis of the lumbar spine with scoliosis and TDIU, as additional evidence is needed to address muscle spasms and effects on range of motion during flare-ups.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a gynecological disability, heart disability, and bilateral knee disability to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection for hypertension and denied service connection for degenerative arthritis and spondylosis of the lumbar spine. The issue regarding muscle pain, including pain of the neck, left trapezius, and left shoulder, was remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for a cervical spine disability, as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity and range of motion findings.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to higher ratings for lumbar strain, right knee replacement, right knee scar, and degenerative arthritis of the left knee for further development.

The Board denied service connection for neck disability as the evidence did not support a finding that it began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.