Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The appeal was dismissed because the veteran passed away before a decision could be made.

The veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for several conditions was granted, with the effective date set to January 26, 2021. The veteran will receive a 20 percent disability rating for lumbar strain and degenerative disc disease.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's left shoulder osteoarthritis, degenerative arthritis of the spine, lipoma, and right knee osteoarthritis.

The Board remanded the claim for a higher disability rating for the veteran's right shoulder condition. The VA needs to conduct another examination to assess the severity of the condition.

The veteran's claim for service connection of erectile dysfunction has been granted. The decision is based on the finding that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's erectile dysfunction was caused by medications taken to treat his service-connected left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis and PTSD with depression and alcohol use disorder.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings but granted a 20 percent rating for right knee instability starting December 27, 2021.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for both right and left shoulder impingement syndrome with degenerative arthritis, stating that the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent have not been met.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for right hip trochanteric pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis before December 20, 2022.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date prior to July 11, 2019, for service connection of right knee strain and degenerative arthritis with status-post total knee replacement, as well as for right knee residual surgical scars. The earliest valid claim was received on July 11, 2019.

The veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to May 10, 2023 and special monthly compensation (SMC) for being housebound from March 1, 2020 to May 9, 2023.

The proposed reduction of the Veteran's lumbosacral strain evaluation was dismissed. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was granted, but other conditions were denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for type II diabetes mellitus was denied. The claims for left hip impairment, left hip osteoarthritis with limitation of extension, right arm condition, and sleep apnea were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date prior to December 18, 2008, for service connection of several disabilities. The claims for higher ratings were remanded.

The Board remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis and migraine headaches. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered with additional medical evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for left ankle osteoarthritis and left ankle scar, stating that the criteria for such ratings were not met.

The Board granted readjudication for several conditions due to new and relevant evidence. Some claims were denied, and others were remanded for further review.

The Board denied higher ratings for several conditions but remanded the claim for service connection of obstructive sleep apnea.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of right hip strain, requiring further medical examination to determine if it is related to the veteran's service-connected left knee.

The veteran's claim for service connection of left knee strain with degenerative arthritis was granted. The Board found that the veteran's current left knee disability is related to his active-duty service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition, right knee degenerative arthritis, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to inadequate medical opinions.