Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the right shoulder, back disability, left leg amputation, type II diabetes mellitus, and rotary nystagmus. The Veteran's claims were not supported by credible evidence.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the assignment of disability ratings for cervical spine, radiculopathy, and right hip disabilities, as well as a later effective date for dermatophytosis.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability, to include degenerative arthritis, based on the Veteran's competent and credible testimony of continuity of symptomatology.

The Board granted service connection for right hip, left hip, right knee and left knee disabilities based on the evidence showing that these conditions had their onset in service.

The Board remands the increased rating claims for right wrist and left shoulder for further development.

The Board granted an increased 30 percent rating for the Veteran's right foot sprain residual of right injury with degenerative arthritis from January 21, 2025 to February 18, 2025.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for left knee osteoarthritis based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's appeal for service connection for right great toe degenerative arthritis was dismissed due to a late filing of the Board Appeal request.

The Board granted an increased disability rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's service-connected PTSD from May 20, 2018 to August 10, 2020 and a 100 percent rating from September 1, 2020. The claims for increased ratings for dyschromia, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, thoracolumbar strain, and TDIU were remanded.

The Veteran's requirement for assistance with activities of daily living was granted as a result of his service-connected left and right foot disabilities, specifically due to osteomyelitis.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability and a right-side lower back disability, but denied an increased rating for the left foot hallux valgus. The evidence was in approximate balance that bilateral plantar fasciitis is secondary to the service-connected left foot hallux valgus.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and a compensable rating for right ear otalgia.

The Board denied an effective date prior to March 6, 2023, for the award of service connection for right ankle degenerative arthritis and remanded claims for a recurrent cervical spine disability and a higher rating for the right ankle.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral dry eye syndrome, left foot degenerative arthritis, and anxiety disorder. The claims for service connection for left heel bursitis, a rating in excess of 10 percent for the back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left knee disability, scalp scar, and a rating in excess of 20 percent for the right shoulder disability were denied.

The Board granted service connection for a right knee disability and right elbow medial epicondylitis with osteoarthritis, but remanded the issue of a right shoulder disability for further development.

The Board remands the claim for a new medical opinion to address whether the Veteran's left knee conditions are related to his military service or his service-connected right knee disabilities.

The Board granted an effective date of February 1, 2019, for the award of service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, strain, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and stenosis, as well as right and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board denied an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder osteoarthritis with glenohumeral and acromioclavicular joint instability but granted a separate 30 percent rating for impairment of the right humerus associated with this condition.

The appeal as to the claims of service connection for shoulder pain and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is dismissed, and an effective date prior to April 18, 2024, for the award of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, to include degenerative arthritis and scoliosis, is denied.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of June 13, 2023, for service connection for a lumbar spine disability.