Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board increased the ratings for left and right knee disabilities to 20 percent, but denied an increased rating for a low back disability and a higher rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss and remanded increased ratings for right and left knee osteoarthritis, painful flexion.

The Board dismissed the appeals of proposed reductions in disability ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and right shoulder strain with rotator cuff tendonitis and clavicle deformity as they are not appealable determinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for various conditions, including migraine headaches and a thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right and left lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy. The claims for other disabilities were remanded.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for left ankle and back disabilities based on clear and unmistakable error in a June 1984 rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right knee degenerative arthritis, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board granted service connection for unspecified depressive disorder, with anxious distress and remanded the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee joint osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome and entitlement to service connection for shin splints as secondary to the service-connected disability.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for the service-connected back disability and an effective date of July 7, 2015, for the grant of service connection for right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis and cervical spine disability to allow the AOJ to obtain adequate opinions regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities based on evidence that supports a link to his service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right elbow osteoarthritis, finding that VA treatment did not result in additional disability due to carelessness or negligence.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for right knee disability due to insufficient evidence.

The Board denied increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, but granted a 20 percent rating for diabetic peripheral neuropathy of both legs as of February 10, 2022.

The appeal was withdrawn by the appellant on June 13, 2024, and is therefore dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy and bilateral upper extremity conditions, including carpel tunnel syndrome and degenerative arthritis, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the veteran's active military service.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability, right knee disability, and right hip disability based on the evidence showing current diagnoses of these conditions, in-service symptoms, and a nexus between the in-service symptoms and the current disabilities.

The Board granted a January 30, 2020, effective date for the grant of a 20 percent evaluation for left knee PFPS and right knee joint osteoarthritis, as well as basic eligibility for DEA under 38 USC chapter 35.

The appeal was denied for various conditions, including persistent depressive disorder with memory loss, lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, tinnitus, and knee strains. The service connection for degenerative arthritis was also denied.

The appeal for service connection for right knee strain with osteoarthritis and instability is dismissed due to the Veteran's death.