Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to a compensable evaluation for limitation of flexion and extension of the left knee, as well as an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for right knee postoperative synovitis and degenerative arthritis, due to insufficient evidence.

The Board granted a disability rating of 30 percent but no higher for right foot osteoarthritis and calcaneal spur from April 12, 2016 to April 9, 2021, but denied a higher rating from April 9, 2021.

The Board granted service connection for a right knee disability, diagnosed as right knee osteoarthritis and strain pes anserine, on a secondary basis due to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's back, right ring finger, and left foot hallux valgus disabilities but granted an initial 30 percent rating for pes planus from August 17, 2021, a 50 percent rating for pes planus from December 15, 2023, and a separate 10 percent rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis from August 17, 2021.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 30 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine but denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board denied earlier effective dates for service connection and granted increased ratings for lumbosacral strain and right ankle disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher rating for PTSD, a higher rating for left shoulder disability, and an earlier effective date for the award of a 20 percent rating for left shoulder disability.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including herniation and bulging disk L4 through S1, knee pain with osteoarthritis, an acquired psychiatric disorder, cubital tunnel syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, and neuropathy. However, the Board granted a 30 percent evaluation for chronic headaches.

The Board granted an effective date of April 10, 2015, for the grant of service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy and granted initial ratings of 40 percent for both right and left lower extremity radiculopathy from April 10, 2015, to June 1, 2020.

The Board remands the claims for an increased rating and TDIU due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error regarding SSA records.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine to obtain a new medical opinion that considers an in-service injury after appropriate efforts are made to obtain the appellant's service treatment records.

The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for right elbow degenerative arthritis with medial epicondylitis, but the claim for a compensable rating for left elbow degenerative arthritis with medial epicondylitis was denied.

The veteran withdrew all pending appeals on April 28, 2025.

The Board granted service connection for a left shoulder disability and a right shoulder disability, finding that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder disabilities are causally linked to his in-service injuries sustained during active duty for training.

The veteran withdrew the appeals for increased disability ratings and higher initial disability ratings, leading to their dismissal.

The Board granted service connection for a left hip disability and a right hip disability, both secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, right hip degenerative joint disease and rheumatoid arthritis with acetabular cyst status post right total hip replacement, osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, hypertension, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus type II, fever sores, and a compromised immune system, as the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board remands the issues of increased rating for back disability, service connection for sleep apnea, left heel, and hemorrhoids, as well as entitlement to a TDIU prior to August 1, 2025, for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's lumbar spine disorder, left and right lower extremity sciatic nerve disorders, polycythemia vera, and hand and finger disorders as there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease, continuity of symptomatology, or a nexus to service.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and remanded the claims for bilateral tinnitus, right knee osteoarthritis, and left knee osteoarthritis due to inadequate medical evidence.