Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board denied a rating greater than 30 percent for the Veteran's cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, but granted a 40 percent rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy and a 30 percent rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy. The claims for service connection for a Parkinson's-like condition, earlier effective dates, and TDIU were denied.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and anterolisthesis of L5 over S1, and ratings in excess of 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis with limited flexion and painful motion, and right knee degenerative arthritis with instability due to the failure to request relevant medical records.

The Board denied increased ratings for cervical strain, lumbar spine osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, and degenerative joint disease of both knees. The claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, and remanded claims for left ear hearing loss and degenerative arthritis of the left hand.

The Board granted service connection for right shoulder osteoarthritis due to an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence, while remanding the claims for low back, left ankle, right ankle, left knee, and right knee disabilities for further development.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent for the Veteran's left hip disability and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an initial rating of over 10 percent for a back disability, and ratings of over 10 percent for right knee degenerative arthritis with bursitis and left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board dismissed the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for left elbow disabilities due to a failure to properly identify the decision being appealed.

The Board granted an increased rating of 20 percent for left ankle osteochondritis dissecans and degenerative arthritis with left gastrocnemius contracture as residuals status post left ankle arthroscopic surgery, but denied service connection for bilateral pes planus and left leg syndesmosis instability.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, status post laminectomy for disc herniation from January 14, 2020 (except for a period when a temporary 100 percent rating was in effect).

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the right shoulder and a TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or entitlement to a TDIU.

The Board granted an increased evaluation of 40 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy prior to February 9, 2024, and denied higher ratings for the other issues on appeal.

The Board granted restoration of a 70 percent rating for PTSD with alcohol use disorder and a 10 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve), while denying the other claims.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's left hip condition and granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for chronic otitis externa and remanded the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee joint osteoarthritis.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his low back disability due to inconsistencies in medical evidence and a need for a supplemental VA opinion.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his lumbar spine disability and remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) on an extraschedular basis.

The Board remands the claim for a right knee disability to ensure that the severity of the Veteran's condition is assessed without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board granted service connection for olecranon enthesophyte to include degenerative arthritis of the left elbow, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, insomnia, and headaches, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board dismissed the claims for initial ratings higher than 10 percent or compensable ratings for various disabilities due to premature Notice of Disagreement filings.