Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for left and right ankle pain, reduced the rating for bilateral hearing loss to zero percent, and denied compensable ratings for chronic sinusitis, bilateral tinea pedis, and hypertension. The claims for IBS, foot pain, hand pain, dry eyes, and increased ratings for knee arthritis were remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's appeal for a disability rating greater than 10 percent for his service-connected back condition. The decision was based on objective findings that did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, left knee, left wrist, and left hand disabilities were granted. The effective dates for PTSD, right ankle sprain, and right knee osteoarthritis were set to July 16, 2012. Other issues were remanded.

The Board remanded the claim for service connection of cervical spine disability to correct duty to assist errors. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered with new evidence.

The Veteran's service connection for degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spondylolisthesis is granted. The Board found that these conditions were incurred in or caused by the Veteran's service.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for umbilical hernia was denied. Other issues related to service connection and disability ratings were remanded for further examination.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral foot disabilities, including conditions like pes planus and plantar fasciitis, has been granted based on aggravation of a pre-existing condition during military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for knee conditions, stating that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran withdrew their claims, so the Board dismissed all issues related to service connection for skin disability, lower back degenerative arthritis disability, tinnitus, and a higher rating for left ankle sprain.

The veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right and left elbows was granted. The claim for hypertension, including as secondary to service-connected sleep apnea, was remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis in the left knee and left shoulder due to new and relevant evidence. The Veteran's claims will be readjudicated.

The Board remanded the veteran's claims for service connection of left and right knee joint osteoarthritis with tendonitis. The Board found that the VA examiner's opinion was inadequate and required a new addendum opinion.

The Board remanded all claims for service connection, including gastrointestinal disorder, asthma, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, left upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to cervical DDD, left wrist condition with pain, and left knee osteoarthritis. The Veteran will be afforded new VA examinations or medical opinions.

The veteran's appeal for higher ratings for several service-connected conditions was dismissed because the veteran withdrew the appeal and failed to appear for scheduled VA examinations.

The Board denied all claims. The veteran's knee conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating, and earlier effective dates for the depressive disorder and TDIU were not warranted.