Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for compensation due to pre-decisional errors, including failure to obtain relevant medical records and adequate medical opinions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an effective date prior to April 5, 2022, for service connection of degenerative arthritis, DJD, and RPPS of both knees. The evidence did not show probative evidence of knee limited extension before this date.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for right hip strain was denied, but the veteran was granted higher ratings for other conditions. The claim for service connection for left knee condition was remanded.

The appeal is granted for readjudication of service connection claims due to new and relevant evidence. The issues are remanded for further consideration.

The Board reinstated the 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and radiculopathy of right lower extremity. It also granted a 40 percent rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity and effective dates of June 27, 2018, for TDIU and DEA.

The Board remanded the claims for a higher initial rating for service-connected left ankle osteoarthritis and for service connection for bleeding problems due to inadequate examinations and missing records.

Service connection for both left and right knee osteoarthritis has been granted.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal, finding that the October 2022 rating decision to sever service connection for various shoulder conditions was proper.

The veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for left knee degenerative arthritis, meniscal tear, and anterior cruciate ligament tear. Other claims were denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). It also denied earlier effective dates and higher evaluations for several other conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for cervical degenerative disc disease, right rotator cuff tendonitis, and left knee strain and degenerative arthritis.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence was in approximate balance regarding its relation to service.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date and higher ratings was denied, but a 70% rating for PTSD from September 26, 2021, to September 25, 2022, was granted.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for back disability was denied. However, the veteran was granted a 20% rating for right lower extremity sciatic and femoral radiculopathy from September 17, 2019, to present.

The appeal for service connection of hypertension is remanded. The Board needs a new medical opinion to determine if the veteran's hypertension is related to their service-connected conditions.

The Board dismissed claims for higher ratings for right knee, L5 vertebra, and plantar fasciitis due to pending readjudication. It denied higher ratings for left upper extremity neuropathy and PTSD with alcohol use disorder but remanded the eczema claim and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for several service-connected disabilities and initial ratings in excess of the assigned percentages. An increased rating of 20 percent was granted for the right ankle disability. Claims for service connection for left knee, right knee, left hip, and right hip disabilities were denied. The claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, hypertension, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and entitlement to TDIU were remanded.

The Board remanded the veteran's claim for a higher rating of his left ankle disability to obtain an addendum medical opinion on whether his condition meets the criteria for ankylosis or its functional equivalent.

The veteran's claims for a higher rating for migraines and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis were denied. The claims for service connection for depression, alcohol use disorder, chest pain, shortness of breath, and bilateral hearing loss were remanded.

The veteran's appeal for direct payment of agent fees was granted, but the issue of whether the amount of fees awarded is reasonable was remanded.