Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea, allergic rhinitis, bilateral foot tinea capitis, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, and left hand osteoarthritis. The claim for diabetes mellitus was remanded.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of December 29, 2022, for the award of service connection for PTSD but denied earlier effective dates for rheumatic arthritis and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board found clear and unmistakable errors in the August 2021 and November 2022 rating decisions, resulting in a reduction of the ratings for right knee meniscal tear with chondrocalcinosis and joint osteoarthritis status-post (s/p) meniscectomy and painful scar, right knee.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for various disabilities, including degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine and paralysis of the sciatic nerves and hips.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for treatment purposes only under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 17 for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability to obtain additional medical evidence.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an increased disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine, status post fracture T-5 and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to insufficient evidence regarding the impact of pain medication on the severity of the Veteran's back disability.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for osteoarthritis and remanded a claim for service connection for a bilateral eye disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral flat feet with plantar fasciitis and degenerative arthritis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, entitling him to special monthly compensation at the statutory housebound rate beginning December 23, 2020.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine with moderate spondylosis, resolving any reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder strain and lower back disability as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, and the current conditions were not shown to be related to military service.

The Board denied benefits for spina bifida and other covered birth defects as the appellant's mother is not a Vietnam Veteran, and she does not meet the criteria for spina bifida other than spina bifida occulta.

The Board denied service connection for a back condition, finding that the Veteran's back condition is not caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, finding no evidence that the conditions began during service or are related to an in-service injury.

The Board granted a disability rating of 20 percent for left lower extremity radiculopathy, involving the sciatic nerve, but remanded other issues.

The Board remands the claims for higher initial ratings for right knee disabilities due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, diagnosed as thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis with spondylosis and radiculopathy. The right knee and left knee issues were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine disorder, bilateral shin splints, and bilateral knee disorders. The claims for the thoracolumbar spine disorder and psychiatric disorder were remanded.

The Board remands the claims for a higher disability rating for degenerative disc disease and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine, as well as for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board granted an earlier effective date for a 100 percent evaluation for service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and basic eligibility to Dependents' Educational Assistance, both effective February 28, 2023. The claims for increased evaluations of the right knee were dismissed.

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