Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board denied some claims and granted others. The Veteran was granted a 20 percent rating for left knee strain and left foot strain but denied higher ratings for other conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection of several conditions, including degenerative arthritis of the spine and various knee issues.

The veteran's claim for service connection of a lumbar spine disability, including scoliosis and other related conditions, has been granted. The decision is based on evidence showing that the condition progressed during active service.

The appeal for service connection of a lumbar spine disorder was dismissed because the benefit was already granted in full by a prior decision.

The Veteran's use of VA-issued right wrist and bilateral knee braces caused excessive wear and tear on his clothing, warranting the award of clothing allowances for 2014.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings and an earlier effective date due to inadequate examinations and opinions.

The veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for bilateral pes cavus with plantar fasciitis was granted, but the claims for higher ratings for left and right ankle strains were remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, permanent impairment of vision in both eyes, severe burn injury, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Therefore, he does not meet the eligibility criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile or other conveyance with adaptive equipment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to August 3, 2021.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for chronic low back strain and degenerative arthritis of the left wrist, as well as his claim for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The appeals are being remanded for additional examinations and consideration.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of right knee instability was granted, with a rating of 20% from May 9, 2006 to February 7, 2021. The claim for a higher rating after February 7, 2021 was denied.

The claim for service connection for a right hip disability, including degenerative arthritis, was denied because no new and relevant evidence was submitted.

The veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine were granted. The claim for left shoulder degenerative arthritis was denied. The claims for right and left hip osteoarthritis as secondary conditions were remanded.

The Veteran's request for specially adapted housing or special home adaptations was denied because his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability that precludes locomotion without aid.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial disability rating greater than 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis and left knee strain from February 10, 2019, to September 15, 2022.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for knee conditions were denied, but the claim for service connection for a back disability was remanded.

The appeal for service connection of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is remanded. The Board needs more evidence, including private treatment records and VA records.

The veteran was granted a 40% rating for three service-connected conditions effective October 1, 2015. The claim for total disability due to individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied, and the claim for residuals of service-connected scars was remanded.

The veteran's service connection for a low back disorder, including degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis, and right lower extremity radiculopathy, is granted. The decision is based on the presumption of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome and cervical strain. The VA needs to conduct new examinations addressing both direct and secondary service connection theories.