Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the awards of service connection for PTSD, tinnitus, left knee degenerative arthritis, and migraines, but denied a compensable rating for migraines.

The Board denied an increased rating above 40 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine.

The Board granted service connection for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome based on the Veteran's credible history of back pain during service.

The Board granted service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to the Veteran's already service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied service connection for a cervical spine condition and denied increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, right knee osteoarthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve. However, it restored the 20 percent disability rating for lumbosacral strain effective October 31, 2023.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's bilateral knee and hip conditions, except for a 50 percent rating from November 29, 2019, for right hip status post arthroplasty and a similar rating for left hip status post arthroplasty. The effective date for service connection of scars on the knees and hips was set to May 17, 2021.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of January 3, 2018, for the award of service connection for right knee osteoarthritis status post meniscal repair, limitation of flexion. The claim for an earlier effective date for a 30 percent evaluation for left knee meniscal tear with arthritis was denied.

The Board granted a temporary total rating for the Veteran's right knee replacement from April 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023.

The Board denied service connection for a throat disorder other than allergic rhinitis and GERD, and remanded the claims for respiratory, left shoulder, right foot, and right hip disorders due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board denied increased ratings for multiple service-connected disabilities, including right shoulder impingement syndrome, lumbosacral strain, left and right ankle sprains with degenerative arthritis, left and right knee retropatellar pain syndromes with degenerative arthritis, and pseudofolliculitis barbae with acne keloidalis nuchae.

The claim for service connection for plantar fasciitis was dismissed as there is no remaining controversy for appellate consideration. The claim for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral feet was remanded due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and denied the claims for increased ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as for lumbar spine disability, coronary artery disease, deep vein thrombosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a total disability rating for compensation based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the matter for an addendum opinion regarding the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability, as the previous VA examination was found to be inadequate.

The Veteran's PTSD with persistent depressive disorder was granted a 100 percent rating, while the low back condition and associated radiculopathy were denied increased ratings. SMC at the housebound rate was also granted.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction and special monthly compensation based on the loss of use of a creative organ, as these conditions are related to the Veteran's service-connected PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and disc osteophyte complex, finding that the Veteran's neck disability is related to his physical labor during active duty as an electrician's mate.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his right knee disability based on limitation of extension and remanded claims for service connection for a left knee disability and headaches.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis, finding no evidence of a nexus between the in-service injury and the current disability.