Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Veteran was granted a 60 percent evaluation for joint osteoarthritis status post total left knee replacement since June 5, 2016.

The Board granted an initial rating of 10 percent for left and right pubic symphysis degenerative arthritis, but denied a higher rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The claims for service connection for knee disorders were remanded.

The Board granted a separate rating of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis associated with the left foot bunionectomy and a 10 percent rating for residual surgical scar, status post left foot bunionectomy. The claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis was denied.

The Board denied an increased rating for lumbar degenerative disc disease and left shoulder impingement syndrome, granted a 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy with involvement of the sciatic nerve, and denied a compensable rating for left shoulder arthroscopic repair scars.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, as no new and material evidence was received prior to April 27, 2022.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee strain to include osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for instability or limitation of flexion and extension.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, granting TDIU effective May 20, 2022.

The Board denied increased ratings for various knee and back conditions, sciatica, and femoral nerve impairment, except for a 20 percent rating granted for left and right femoral nerve impairment beginning August 25, 2022.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the criteria for intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis or for TDIU.

The Board granted a 100 percent disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) and an effective date of January 25, 2018.

The Board granted service connection for right hip strain, left hip strain, left elbow degenerative arthritis with strain, right elbow disability, right knee strain and shin splints, left knee strain and shin splints, right shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis, left shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis, and sleep disability. The Board denied service connection for bronchitis, hair loss disease/disability, diabetes mellitus type 2, and hypertension.

The Board denied increased ratings for thoracolumbar strain and PTSD, as well as an earlier effective date for the 70 percent evaluation of PTSD. The Board remanded service connection for a sleep condition secondary to PTSD.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back, left knee and bilateral wrist disabilities to provide adequate medical examinations and opinions.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for right and left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right and left knee limitation of extension, and a TDIU, but denied earlier effective dates for sciatic and femoral radiculopathies.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for gout, right hand; left knee osteoarthritis; and bilateral hearing loss to ensure that due process is followed and there is a complete record upon which to decide the Veteran's claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted effective April 16, 2019.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection for various disabilities and TDIU, as no relevant evidence was received to support an earlier date.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back disorder and an acquired psychiatric disorder to ensure that the Veteran is afforded a VA examination.

The Veteran withdrew all his pending Board appeals and is satisfied with his 100 percent combined rating.