Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbar spine disability is related to service and grants the claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral knee conditions due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Specifically, an addendum opinion is required for both left and right knees to acknowledge and consider the Veteran's lay statements regarding his knee issues.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for a separate compensable evaluation for right knee joint instability, a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right knee osteoarthritis limitation of extension, TDIU based on a single disability (right knee), and ratings in excess of 50 percent and 10 percent for anxiety disorder not otherwise specified and GERD respectively, to ensure adequate medical examinations are conducted.

The Board granted the veteran's appeal and restored a 20% disability rating for left knee instability, effective February 11, 2023.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than August 11, 2022, for a 40 percent rating increase for his lumbar spine disability. The decision was based on the lack of evidence showing severe symptoms or limitations prior to that date.

The veteran's appeal for effective dates of ratings and service connection was dismissed because the veteran requested to withdraw it.

The veteran's appeal for service connection and rating increase was dismissed because the veteran withdrew all issues before a decision was made.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for both knees, stating that the evidence did not support a rating higher than 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection for several conditions were dismissed or denied. The veteran failed to appear for scheduled examinations, which led to the denial of increased ratings for lumbar strain and right ear hearing loss.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for right shoulder degenerative joint disease was denied. The claims for service connection for a kidney impairment disorder and entitlement to TDIU were remanded.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a neck disability and dyspareunia was granted, but the claim for a compensable rating for FSAD was denied.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's right and left hip disabilities, claiming degenerative arthritis.

The veteran's disability ratings for low back and left sciatic nerve issues were restored to previous levels. Claims for erectile dysfunction and pseudofolliculitis were denied. Other issues, including service connection for headaches and hypertension, were remanded.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with IVDS was restored to 20 percent, making the issue moot.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine. The decision was based on the lack of evidence showing specific criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date for TDIU benefits. The increase in disability occurred before the one-year period prior to the claim date.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and higher ratings for various service-connected knee conditions.

The Board remanded the claim for an initial rating greater than 30 percent for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis due to insufficient objective evidence regarding neurological abnormalities.