Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for chronic pain and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, finding no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the thoracolumbar spine, and for right and left knee degenerative arthritis post knee replacements.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability and scar due to an inadequate VA examination opinion.

The veteran's appeal for the service connection of left knee subluxation and left knee joint osteoarthritis was dismissed due to untimely filing.

The Board granted service connection for a right ankle disability and a right knee disability, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disabilities. The effective date of August 10, 2012, was also granted for these conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities to obtain additional medical nexus opinions.

The Board granted readjudication of the claim for service connection for a back disability based on new and relevant evidence, but remanded the issue for further development.

The Board granted service connection for left hip degenerative osteoarthritis, left knee strain with degenerative arthritis, and right knee strain with degenerative arthritis.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of September 26, 2019 for service connection for a right knee disability.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for the service-connected left and right ankle disabilities, but remanded the claim for service connection for constipation, bloating, and abdominal pain syndrome.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder was granted a rating of 70 percent from July 19, 2013 to December 6, 2021 and a total disability rating of 100 percent from December 7, 2021. The degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was denied a higher rating.

The Veteran is granted a TDIU, special monthly compensation at the housebound rate, and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance benefits. The right knee osteoarthritis issue was remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied increased ratings for cervical strain, degenerative arthritis and disc disease with spondylosis, right and left knee osteoarthritis, and right upper and lower extremity radiculopathy but granted separate 10 percent ratings for right and left knee instability and a 40 percent rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy. The Board also remanded the claim for entitlement to TDIU.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a left knee disability to ensure that all relevant treatment records are obtained and an adequate examination with an etiological opinion is provided.

The Board remands the claim for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, spinal stenosis, and bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy to obtain a more adequate medical opinion.

The Board granted service connection for a dermatological disability, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis, as well as a 70 percent rating for posttraumatic stress disorder with major depression from July 5, 2022.

The Board granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, but denied increased ratings for major depressive disorder with anxious distress features and polysubstance use and chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis and IVDS of the lumbar spine is granted a 40 percent rating, while other claims for increased ratings are denied or remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted a 50 percent evaluation effective March 27, 2024. The claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right hand, left ankle strain, and right knee strain were remanded.

The Board denied service connection for meniscal tear, osteoarthritis, and chondrocalcinosis of the right knee and hypertension. The claims for TBI, chronic upset stomach, and prostate cancer were remanded.