Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for service-connected bilateral hearing loss, as the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the results of audiometric testing.

The Board remands the claims for an increased rating of the lumbar disability and secondary service connection for a right lower extremity disability to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding that November 12, 2022, is the correct effective date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed back disorder.

The Board granted service connection for left knee joint osteoarthritis and osteоarthrosis of the right hip, finding that new and relevant evidence had been submitted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and osteoarthritis, right hip (secondary to right ankle strain), as there was no evidence of a current disability.

The Board granted a 100 percent rating for the Veteran's trauma and stressor related disorder, dismissed an increased rating claim for left lung polyp, and remanded claims for service connection for heat exhaustion, left knee osteoarthritis, and right inguinal herniorrhaphy.

The Board granted service connection for right knee condition, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis and meniscal tear, but denied service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, to include osteoarthritis and instability, as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disability and his active duty service.

The Board granted ratings of 20 percent for right and left knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis and instability based on limited flexion and extension, as well as a rating of 10 percent for right and left knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis and instability based on patellar instability from August 4, 2023, to April 11, 2024. The claims for increased ratings for acne and scars of the posterior trunk were denied.

The Board granted an increased rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, service connection for post-surgical cervical spine scar and left upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the cervical spine condition, and a TDIU from August 24, 2017. The right upper extremity radiculopathy rating was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection.

The Board remands the claims for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left knee flexion and a compensable evaluation for left knee extension due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the Veteran's lumbar spondylosis with degenerative arthritis and remanded the issue of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy involving the sciatic nerve.

The Board granted service connection for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, and an effective date of April 25, 2019, but no earlier, for the grant of a 70 percent evaluation for unspecified anxiety disorder (UAD).

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for tinnitus, denied service connection for anus restriction as secondary to a service-connected disability, and denied increased ratings for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis and lumbosacral strain and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve. The claims for service connection for right knee strain with osteoarthritis as secondary to service-connected disabilities and TDIU were remanded.

The appeals for increased ratings of the Veteran's conditions were dismissed from the modernized review system due to a procedural defect.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA medical opinion to address the Veteran's neck condition, considering in-service complaints of neck pain.

The Board granted service connection for right knee anterior cruciate ligament tear with degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic, and meniscectomy based on the Veteran's in-service injuries.