Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and disc disease with IVDS, radiculopathy of the RUE, LUE, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, LLE, and RLE.

The Board granted service connection for esophageal cancer residuals and left knee disability, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis with shin splints, but granted a separate 10 percent rating for left knee limitation of extension. The Board also remanded claims for service connection for a left hip disorder and residuals of tuberculosis exposure.

The Board granted service connection for right hip osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left ankle disability.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis and right lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the lumbar degenerative arthritis.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disorder, right knee disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and radiculopathy of both lower extremities as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected shin splints, left lower extremity, with knee impairment.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a back condition to correct pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including obtaining an appropriate medical examination and associated opinion.

The Board denied service connection for chronic osteoarthritis of the right and left ankles, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, granted service connection for right shoulder strain, and remanded a claim for service connection for right knee strain.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the spine, and osteoarthritis of the right shoulder and left shoulder based on evidence showing that these conditions had onset during active military service.

The Board granted service connection for Parkinson's disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and anxiety) as secondary to Parkinson's disease, and degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain with history of lumbar laminectomies, and bilateral radiculopathies as secondary to Parkinson's disease.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder with psychotic features, alcohol use disorder, unspecified cannabis use disorder, and stimulant use disorder but denied an increased rating for right ankle fracture residuals and osteoarthritis. The claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and migraines were remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the left knee. The claim for papillary thyroid carcinoma was remanded for further development.

The Veteran is granted a 10 percent rating for his service-connected hypertension based on a history of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more and requiring continuous medication for control. The remaining claims are remanded.

The Board granted service connection for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, but denied increased ratings for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted an effective date of September 2, 2010, for service connection for radiculopathy of the left and right sciatic nerves but denied increased ratings for these conditions. The claims for increased ratings for knee and back conditions were remanded.

The Board remands the claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder degenerative arthritis with residuals status post two right shoulder surgeries to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of November 30, 2023, for the grants of service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected conditions.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for right and left knee chondromalacia patella with degenerative arthritis for the period on appeal prior to October 7, 2024, but denied ratings in excess of 40 percent for these conditions. The Board also granted a 20 percent rating for instability in both knees.