Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition, left shoulder supraspinatus tendinopathy and acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, tinea unguium, and obstructive sleep apnea due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating and service connection due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for an autoimmune disease due to the lack of a current diagnosis, and remanded claims for left lower extremity sciatica and radiculopathy as well as degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine for further development.

The Board denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right knee disabilities and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The Board denied an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and remanded issues related to cervical spine degenerative arthritis and left upper extremity radiculopathy.

The claims for increased ratings for the Veteran's cervical spine disability and right upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded, while the claim for left upper extremity radiculopathy is also remanded due to a Joint Motion for Partial Remand.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right chondromalacia patella/patellofemoral malalignment with degenerative arthritis, as the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for the left leg disability and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities for further development, including a more contemporaneous examination.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition and hypertensive vascular disease as further development is needed.

The Board granted an effective date of May 11, 2023, for the award of service connection for bilateral knee disabilities and residual scars.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, and a right shoulder condition to obtain VA examinations to determine their nature and etiology.

The Board remands the claims for further development and evidence collection.

The Board denied a compensable rating for allergic rhinitis and a higher than 30 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, but granted separate ratings of 10 percent for pain associated with bilateral osteoarthritis of the MTP joints of the big toe and heel and ankle pain associated with left foot tenosynovitis.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for the service-connected low back strain and thoracolumbar spine multilevel osteoarthritis, granted new and relevant evidence to readjudicate the claim for service connection for a sinus condition, and remanded claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee conditions, and a sinus condition.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability, finding that the evidence supports a direct link between the Veteran's in-service injury and his current condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sarcoidosis and remanded claims for service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis.

The appeal was dismissed due to an impermissible concurrent, duplicative review election under the Appeals Modernization Act.

The Board granted service connection for right hip strain and osteoarthritis, as well as left shoulder strain, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine condition, a compensable rating for erectile dysfunction, and earlier effective dates for both conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left leg radiculopathy and denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including adjustment disorder, lumbar spine disability, right lower extremity radiculopathies, and left knee disability.