Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's request for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance for TBI residuals. The evidence did not show a need for a higher level of care by a licensed professional.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, neck disability, and numbness of the bilateral hands. The Board found that the medical opinions obtained were inadequate and required further examination.

The appeal is remanded for further evaluation of whether the veteran's left knee condition is secondary to a service-connected lumbar spine condition.

The Board denied all claims for increased ratings or initial compensable evaluations for the veteran's service-connected conditions.

The veteran's service connection for cervical strain and left hip osteoarthritis was granted, but the claim for chronic pain syndrome was denied.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection of hypertension and PTSD. It dismissed claims for earlier effective dates for ratings of hemorrhoids, lumbosacral strain, hearing loss, and sciatic radiculopathy. The Board also denied higher ratings for these conditions and remanded the claims for service connection for diabetes and sleep apnea.

The Board granted readjudication for all claimed conditions due to new and relevant evidence, but ultimately denied service connection for each condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for adjustment disorder with depressed mood. The decision was based on the lack of new and material evidence within one year of previous denials.

The Board denied the veteran's request for a higher rating for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, maintaining the 10% rating.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his service-connected right foot disability has been granted. The Board found that the evidence supports a 30 percent disabling rating.

The veteran's service connection for both left and right knee conditions is granted.

The Board remanded all claims for higher ratings due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to obtain relevant community care records.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for higher ratings due to inadequate examinations and missing records.

The veteran's rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy was restored to 20 percent. The veteran is also granted a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral nerve) and left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic nerve). The issue of entitlement to an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and lumbosacral strain is remanded.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for right hip osteoarthritis and right knee mild patellofemoral compartment degenerative joint disease was dismissed because the veteran withdrew the appeal.

The veteran's claims for separate and compensable ratings for various conditions were denied. However, the veteran was granted an earlier effective date of August 10, 2018, for service-connected left and right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy. The issue of an effective date earlier than October 9, 2019, for total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical records and opinions regarding the etiology of his ankle, knee, and leg disorders.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings related to various knee and lumbar spine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the appropriate level of amputation if performed, as well as retrospective findings for the October 2020 examination report.

Service connection is granted for right knee strain and degenerative arthritis of the left foot.,The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a right leg disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an initial disability rating greater than 20 percent for service-connected lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and spondylosis. The decision was based on a lack of evidence showing the required level of spinal limitation or ankylosis.