Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The veteran's left hip myositis ossificans/osteoarthritis is service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's condition is related to active service.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for an increased rating for right knee chondromalacia and service connection for right hip disorder and right shoulder disorder. The veteran will receive new examinations to address these issues.

The veteran's claim for higher ratings for shoulder and back conditions was denied, but a 10% rating for plantar fasciitis was granted effective February 16, 2023.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented her from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to June 8, 2019, so a TDIU is granted.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for right total hip joint replacement from June 12, 2024, and separate ratings for right knee instability (10 percent) and left knee instability (20 percent). All other claims were denied.

The appeal for service connection of the veteran's right knee disability, secondary to a left knee condition, is remanded. The Board found that the medical opinion relied on was inadequate and needs further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left and right leg conditions, including knee instability and degenerative arthritis, are remanded. The Board needs more information to make a decision.

The Board remanded the issues related to compensation for residuals of prostate gland disorder, heart disorder, heart attack, and degenerative arthritis. The Veteran contends that these conditions were caused by a VA-provided biopsy in December 2014.

The Board remanded the claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbosacral strain with osteoarthritis because the VA examinations were inadequate.

The appeal for a higher rating of degenerative arthritis was dismissed because the veteran died while it was pending.

The Board remanded the veteran's appeal to address issues related to the effective date and rating increase for left shoulder degenerative arthritis.

The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for right knee osteoarthritis was dismissed due to untimely filing. Service connection for left eye presumed ocular histoplasmosis choroidoneovascular membrane was granted based on evidence linking the condition to swimming in the Mississippi River during service.

The Board granted the appeal, finding that the reduction of the veteran's lumbar spine disability rating from 20% to 10% was improper. The 20% rating is restored effective February 1, 2023.

Service connection for degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine is granted.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's left knee disorder, right knee disorder, hypertension, GERD, asthma, and a compensable disability rating for conjunctivitis. The claims for degenerative arthritis of the left hip, degenerative arthritis of the right hip, a higher disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity were remanded.

The veteran's service connection for arthritis in the hips, knees, and lumbar spine was granted. Other conditions were remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's right elbow degenerative arthritis, stating that the symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's request for an earlier effective date for DEA and TDIU was denied. The veteran's PTSD rating remains at 50% and the left shoulder disability rating remains at 20%. The claim for service connection for OSA is remanded.

The veteran's service connection for degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine is granted. The Board found that these conditions were incurred during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and other psychiatric disorders, as well as a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.