Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, knee osteoarthritis, COPD, and GERD.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left ankle degenerative joint disease, degenerative arthritis, left boot paresthetica, right boot paresthetica, left lower leg calf strain, and bilateral pes planus to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board denied service connection for a skin disorder and remanded the claims for right and left ankle degenerative arthritis with calcaneal spur.

The Board remands the claims for an earlier effective date for increased ratings of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and right knee disabilities due to duty-to-assist errors in prior examinations.

The appeal for an increased rating for a low back disability was withdrawn by the Veteran's authorized representative, and therefore, the claim is dismissed.

The appeal to reopen the claim of service connection for a left ankle disorder is granted, and a remand is warranted for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of other claimed disorders.

The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for right knee patellofemoral syndrome with degenerative arthritis and osteophytes based on limitation of extension from June 1, 2017, to December 31, 2019, but denied a higher rating. It also granted a 10 percent disability rating for the same condition based on limitation of flexion from June 1, 2017.

The Board remands the claims for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination and outstanding medical records.

The Board granted the restoration of a 30 percent rating for the service-connected right shoulder disability, effective from November 29, 2022, due to an inadequate VA examination that did not provide range of motion measurements in weight-bearing or non-weight-bearing.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, but denied increased ratings for PTSD and MDD, left ankle strain, and right ankle strain with degenerative arthritis.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the right knee scar status post (s/p) surgery and remanded claims for increased ratings of osteoarthritis in both hips.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for increased ratings and restored previous ratings for various service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee and foot conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current severity of his symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left hand, finding the evidence persuasively against a nexus to service. The Board remanded claims for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and right knee meniscal tear and chondromalacia due to inadequate VA medical opinions that failed to address aggravation theories and direct service connection.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied service connection for hyperlipidemia, vitamin D deficiency, and other conditions. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment prior to November 11, 2020, warranting a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits.

The Veteran's GERD with hiatal hernia was granted a rating of 10 percent, while other knee conditions and scars were denied higher ratings. TDIU was also granted.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip osteoarthritis, to include as secondary to a service-connected left knee degenerative arthritis, due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and a need for a VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and lower lumbar spine degenerative arthritis based on the Veteran's continuous symptoms since service.

The Board denied the Veteran's motion to revise the December 2018 rating decision that reduced her disability rating for a lumbosacral strain, as there was no clear and unmistakable error.