Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for a right knee disorder, back disorder, and right hand disorder but denied an increased evaluation for the favorable ankylosis of the right third finger with post-traumatic osteoarthritis.

The appeal for special monthly pension (SMP) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is remanded to ensure that the appellant receives every possible consideration, including a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left wrist and a back disability, finding that there was no evidence to support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and remanded the other claims for further development.

The Board granted service connection for a right foot disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, fibrocartilaginous calcaneonavicular with lateral cuneiform cuboid coalition, other unspecified right ankle disorder, and status post right foot fracture.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is secondary to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board remands the claim for an increased rating for a lumbar disability due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right ankle degenerative arthritis and remanded claims for a compensable evaluation for headaches, service connection for status post left total knee arthroplasty, and service connection for status post right total knee arthroplasty.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not obtaining SSA records.

The appeal for service connection for frostbite in the left hand or fingers and right hip degenerative arthritis with trochanteric bursitis was dismissed due to an untimely Notice of Disagreement (NOD).

The Board denied ratings in excess of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine and 30 percent for chronic dorsal disc bulging in C5-C6 and C6-C7, but granted a separate 10 percent rating for left lower extremity (LLE) radiculopathy associated with the low back disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance, as her need for assistance is not solely due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, finding that it was not factually ascertainable that he met the criteria prior to the specified dates.

The Board granted service connection for right knee and right hip degenerative arthritis, as well as secondary service connection for headaches due to a service-connected traumatic brain injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee osteoarthritis with instability, left knee tendinitis with painful flexion, and limitation of extension, left knee.

The Board denied several claims for increased ratings and service connection, but granted service connection for prostate cancer.

The Board denied service connection for chronic sinusitis, left knee disability, right knee disability, and lumbar spine disability as there was no evidence of a current disability or that the disabilities were related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board granted restoration of a 30 percent evaluation for the right shoulder condition, effective August 8, 2024, and remanded the sleep apnea claim.

The Board granted service connection for left ankle post traumatic arthritis and right knee degenerative arthritis and meniscal tear, but denied earlier effective dates for the Veteran's painful scars of the bilateral wrists and thumb and deep nonlinear scars of the upper extremities.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left shoulder, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The appeal was also granted to reopen a claim for service connection for bilateral hip disability.