Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for back disability, left knee disability, and right knee disability as they are not related to his military service or secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for various disabilities, including left hip strain with trochanteric pain syndrome, limitation of abduction of the left hip, lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, and radiculopathy affecting both lower extremities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis with total knee replacement and left hip degenerative arthritis with joint replacement as secondary to the right knee condition, due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's residual low back scar, with pain, from June 8, 2010 to February 11, 2016 and denied a compensable rating for the same condition from February 11, 2016. The Board also denied an effective date prior to June 8, 2010 for degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral spine, radiculopathy, right lower extremity, and residual low back scar.

The Board dismissed the appeal of a proposed rating reduction for degenerative arthritis, lumbar spondylolisthesis and the appeals for entitlement to increased ratings for right and left lower radiculopathy as the Veteran withdrew his appeals.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that February 11, 2014, was the earliest possible effective date based on the receipt of the application to reopen the claim.

The Board granted restoration of the 40 percent rating for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with degenerative arthritis and restored the 40 percent ratings for left lower extremity (LLE) sciatic radiculopathy and right lower extremity (RLE) sciatic radiculopathy, effective September 16, 2022. The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for the back condition beginning June 3, 2023, granted a separate noncompensable rating for urinary leakage secondary to the back condition beginning June 3, 2023, and denied increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and unspecified depressive disorder.

The Board granted service connection for right knee strain and right ankle degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence supports a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.

The Board granted restoration of the 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine mid/lower back beginning on October 26, 2023, and denied increased ratings for left ankle strain, right ankle strain, left knee strain, right knee strain, and tension headaches.

The Board granted service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran. The claim for a neck disability was remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine disability and lumbosacral spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to an in-service injury.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition, right knee condition, and left knee condition for further development, including new VA examinations and medical opinions.

The Board granted a 60 percent disability rating for the Veteran's connective tissue disorder from November 16, 2012, to May 22, 2016, and denied a higher rating in excess of 60 percent. The Board also denied ratings in excess of 30 percent and 70 percent for left hip degenerative joint disease and right foot hallux valgus, respectively.

The Board granted service connection for left and right shoulder osteoarthritis with rotator cuff tendonitis and labral tear, finding that the Veteran experienced shoulder pain related to these conditions during his active-duty service from May 2000 to November 2003.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, and right ankle disabilities as there was no evidence of chronic disability in service or within a presumptive period, and no medical nexus to an in-service injury.

The Board granted restoration of a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee disability, effective October 1, 2019, and also granted TDIU and special monthly compensation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine but denied higher ratings for other conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, right knee disorder, and left knee disorder based on the evidence showing that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service injuries.

The Board restored the previous ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome and left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, but denied higher ratings for other conditions.