Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance, as well as an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance, or for adaptive equipment only.

The Board remands the claim for a cervical spine disorder to obtain an addendum opinion regarding its nature and etiology, including all theories of service connection.

The Board granted service connection for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral upper extremities pain, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), and squamous cell carcinoma of the anus as secondary to service-connected hepatitis C. However, psoriatic arthritis was denied.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis and DDD, as well as radiculopathy of both upper extremities and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities. However, the claim for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) was denied.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and osteoarthritis of the left knee due to a need for another VA examination.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral foot, cervical spine, and bilateral hip disabilities but denied service connection for an eye disability, OSA, a sinus disability, and a nail condition. The Board also denied an increased rating for hearing loss and dismissed the TDIU claim.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, and lumbosacral spine degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis. The claim for hypertension was denied.

The Board denied all claims for increased ratings, except for sinusitis which was granted a higher rating.

The Board remands the case to ensure that all relevant medical records are associated with the claims file, specifically those from non-VA neurosurgery consultations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and a separate rating for left knee instability, as the evidence did not support higher ratings or additional benefits.

The appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of a 100 percent evaluation for PTSD is dismissed. The Veteran was granted separate evaluations of 10 percent for right and left knee instability, and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also granted.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded several claims for further development.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to an increased rating for status-post right knee ACL injury and right knee osteoarthritis as the VA exams are found to be inadequate.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left ankle due to an inadequate VA examination and the need for additional medical opinion.

The Board granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, pes planus, and degenerative arthritis; right foot plantar fasciitis, pes planus, and degenerative arthritis; a lumbosacral strain; left ankle strain; and right ankle strain.

The Board denied increased ratings for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and PTSD, but granted a 10 percent rating for temporomandibular joint disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service-connected conditions based on CUE in a December 1983 deferred rating decision.

The Board denied a disability rating higher than 30 percent for the service-connected cervical spine intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing grant as he does not have a permanent and total disability due to disorders that involve both lower extremities affecting balance or propulsion, which precludes locomotion without assistive devices.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability, service connection for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the lumbar spine disability, but denied a compensable rating for hypertension. The issues of service connection for foot and knee disabilities were remanded.