Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the ratings of left knee degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic, and somatic symptom disorder, both assigned as of February 28, 2020. The claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was not readjudicated.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical evidence and examinations.

The Board granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome and denied service connection for pericarditis and pleurisy.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 29, 2007 for the grant of service connection for headaches, degenerative arthritis of the neck, left upper extremity radiculopathy and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied service connection for tendonitis and remanded the claim for a low back disability due to insufficient evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and their military service.

The Board granted a total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability (TDIU) for the period from July 18, 2019, through October 20, 2020, and an effective date of July 18, 2019, but not earlier, for the grant of eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance Under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35.

The Board granted service connection for right hip degenerative arthritis, cervical spine degenerative arthritis, and obstructive sleep apnea based on evidence showing these conditions were incurred during active service.

The Veteran's eligibility for specially adapted housing (SAH) is granted due to the loss of use of both lower extremities resulting from service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claim for further development of medical opinion evidence to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis, including post total knee replacement.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an earlier effective date, a higher rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and special monthly compensation based on a factual need for regular aid and attendance. However, it granted a 50 percent rating for migraine headaches prior to December 1, 2020.

The Board granted service connection for left knee strain with meniscal tear and instability with osteoarthritis and tendinosis, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent prior to February 22, 2021, and in excess of 20 percent after February 22, 2021, for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome.

The appeal for VA disability benefits is dismissed due to the Veteran's failure to properly identify the specific issues he wishes to appeal.

The Board denied service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis as the evidence did not support a finding of an in-service injury or a nexus to service.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and IVDS of the lumbar spine, finding that these conditions were at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's service-connected ankle disabilities.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the Veteran's service-connected left knee degenerative osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher or separate rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for the Veteran's back disability and a separate, additional 10 percent rating for left knee instability, while denying a compensable evaluation for surgical scars of the left knee and back.

The Board granted service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right and left knees, headaches as proximately due to PTSD, and erectile dysfunction as proximately due to PTSD. The claims for an earlier effective date for a 100 percent rating for PTSD and a 70 percent rating for PTSD were denied, as was the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability. Several other claims were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disability and a back disability, as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent for the right ankle injury and an extraschedular TDIU prior to September 1, 2020.