Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis, as well as for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies, to ensure an adequate examination is conducted.

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and IVDS, radiculopathy of the left and right upper extremities, but denied service connection for left knee strain with shin splints, thoracolumbar strain with IVDS, left shoulder disability to include shoulder strain with impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tendonitis, right shoulder disability to include shoulder strain with impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tendonitis with calcific tendinitis, and tinnitus.

The Board dismissed the appeals for entitlement to a rating more than 40 percent disabling for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, and for a rating more than 20 percent disabling for right lower extremity radicopathy, sciatic.

The Board remands the claims for further development and clarification regarding the severity of the Veteran's left knee and right knee disabilities, specifically to determine if the Veteran has experienced 'the functional equivalent of range of motion loss contemplated by the next higher rating' at any point during the appeal period.

The Board granted a 100 percent initial schedular disability rating for the Veteran's unspecified depressive and anxiety disorder with alcohol use disorder, while remanding other issues for further development.

The Board grants service connection for major depressive disorder with alcohol abuse disorder, as it is secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.,The Board grants service connection for left shoulder rotator cuff condition, as it is related to the Veteran's military service.,The Board grants service connection for right shoulder rotator cuff condition, as it is related to the Veteran's military service.,The Board grants service connection for vertigo, as it is related to the Veteran's military service.,The Board grants service connection for left ankle arthritis, as it is related to the Veteran's military service.,The Board grants service connection for right ankle arthritis, as it is related to the Veteran's military service.,The Board denies service connection for status post right bicep tear, as it is not related to the Veteran's military service.,The Board denies service connection for a left arm disorder, diagnosed as left bicep pain, as it is not related to the Veteran's military service.

The veteran withdrew the appeal, and there are no allegations of error for appellate consideration.

The Board granted an initial 70 percent rating for PTSD with TBI, a 20 percent rating effective July 13, 2023 for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine and thoracic disc degeneration, and a separate 10 percent rating effective July 13, 2023 for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity. The Board denied higher ratings for cervical spine conditions, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, and other conditions including hearing loss, fractured finger, and deviated nasal septum, while remanding two issues for further consideration.

The Veteran and his representative withdrew their appeals for the issues of revision of the February 2016 rating decisions, service connection claims, and evaluation for hypertension.

The Board granted an effective date of June 29, 1971, for the award of service connection for a lumbar spine disability and granted increased ratings for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, right upper extremity radiculopathy (upper radicular group), and left upper extremity radiculopathy (upper radicular group).

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for the service-connected left forehead scar but denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left knee osteoarthritis, and PTSD.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome based on the Veteran's continuous symptoms since service.

The Board remands the claims for an earlier effective date and increased rating for lumbosacral strain to include thoracic and lumbar degenerative disc disease and spondylosis, as well as left knee strain osteoarthritis, instability, and limitation of flexion.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and increased rating for knee disabilities, lumbar spine disability, and SMC based on aid and attendance and/or housebound criteria due to an impermissible concurrent election.

The Board granted service connection for multiple joint conditions, including left and right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, elbow osteoarthritis, ankle strain, hip strain, and wrist strain.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for bilateral pes planus but denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis but denied service connection for right and left foot disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal regarding service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis.

The Board granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome in the right and left upper extremities, but denied it for a neck disability. The 20 percent rating for low back disability was restored, and initial ratings of 20 percent were granted for sciatica affecting both lower extremities.

The Board denied a compensable initial rating for the left knee scar and remanded higher ratings for the total left knee replacement, right knee instability, and right knee limitation of extension.