Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Veteran was granted service connection for chronic sinusitis and headaches, effective April 5, 2021, but denied earlier effective dates for his right hip disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for lumbosacral strain, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on either incapacitating episodes or unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board granted service connection for right shoulder osteoarthritis with adhesive capsulitis based on evidence showing the condition began during active military service.

The Board denied service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities, multi-joint arthritis, and erectile dysfunction as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine was granted a disability rating of 40 percent, effective May 23, 2017.

The motion to revise or reverse on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was dismissed without prejudice to refiling.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and knee degenerative joint diseases were granted increased ratings to 40 percent. Service connection for the knee conditions was also granted as secondary to his back and leg disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right shoulder degenerative arthritis with rotator cuff tear, cervical strain, and low back disability to obtain an adequate medical opinion addressing the Veteran's history of diving in service.

The Board grants service connection for cervical strain with degenerative disc disease other than IVDS, degenerative arthritis, and spinal stenosis as it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's condition had onset during service or was caused by an in-service injury or event.

The Board denied service connection for several conditions, including spinal arthritis of the neck and intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) of the neck/upper back. However, tinnitus was granted, and a 20% rating was assigned for left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected low back disability, but SMC at the housebound rate is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and several claims were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease, resolving doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for a right hip disability and left knee patellar instability and patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis and osteophytes, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board remands the claim for a new medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis was aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD and remanded the service connection claim for left hand arthritis.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis prior to December 29, 2022, and granted a 30 percent rating from that date. The claim for tinnitus was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities.

The Board grants service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, finding a nexus between the Veteran's in-service injury and his current disability.