Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of service connection for right foot hallux valgus and a rating in excess of 30 percent for right foot degenerative arthritis and hallux valgus.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of a back condition and bilateral radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, as the earliest entitlement arose on March 20, 2023.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected right knee degenerative arthritis, as the evidence did not show extension limited to 20 degrees or greater during the appeal period.

The Board dismissed the attempted appeals of April 2019, October 2020, November 2020, and December 2020 rating decisions due to untimely notice of disagreement (NOD) filings.

The appeal for increased disability ratings and TDIU were dismissed due to the Veteran's representative withdrawing the appeals.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating and service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, erectile dysfunction, poor balance, weight gain, and right shoulder disability.

The veteran withdrew the appeal, and the Board has no jurisdiction to review this matter.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and degenerative disc disease at C5-C6, resolving reasonable doubts in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's scar of the left great toe and remanded several other issues, including character of discharge and service connection claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings, as well as a TDIU.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for migraine headaches and increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, right lower radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, left lower radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve, and sinusitis.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's thoracolumbar spine condition and related radiculopathies, finding that his symptoms were chronic and persisted post-service.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board granted the restoration of a 10 percent disability rating for right hip osteoarthritis with trochanteric bursitis, but denied an increased rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating than 10% for right and left knee osteoarthritis and instability was denied because the veteran cancelled the required VA examination without good cause.

The veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities from August 1, 2017.

The veteran is granted a 20 percent disability rating for their back condition prior to April 20, 2022. The request for a higher rating was denied.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee, right knee, and left ankle disabilities due to inadequate medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his bilateral knee disabilities due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for additional medical opinions. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU claim.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of a lower back disability. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with new evidence.