Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for right shoulder disability, diagnosed as right acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis with glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis with rotator cuff tendonitis, based on the evidence showing an in-service injury and a nexus to current disability.

The appeal regarding the proposed changes in effective dates for service connection and initial disability ratings were dismissed as they were not final decisions.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease, degenerative arthritis, and lumbar spondylosis based on the evidence of record.

The Board granted an effective date of January 7, 2011, for a 20 percent disability rating for degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis and February 13, 2012, for service connection for painful (tender) surgical scars of the lower back.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left, right knee, and right big toe due to insufficient evidence showing a disability level warranting higher ratings.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent, as well as the TDIU claim, to obtain an adequate medical examination and opinion on the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board dismissed the claims for an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation and service connection for right knee, left knee, low back, and right elbow disabilities due to a concurrent election issue.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right hip degenerative arthritis and a higher rate of special monthly compensation due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board remands the claims for an increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and entitlement to a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and non-compensable ratings for his left and right shoulder injuries, as well as scars on both shoulders, based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for his low back disability, as there was no evidence of limitation of motion or painful motion that would warrant a 10 percent evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's heart disability, hypothyroidism, and skeletal arthritis of entire joint system. The lower back, bilateral hip, and bilateral knee disabilities were remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for her service-connected low back disability, finding that the evidence supported no higher than a 20 percent rating.

The Board granted service connection for right hip and right knee disabilities, effective September 19, 2022.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and lumbar spine disability, but granted a 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis from April 4, 2017 to July 13, 2020.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for the right ankle disability prior to November 16, 2019 and from April 23, 2021 onward; denied a higher rating during other periods. The Board also granted a 30 percent disability rating for the right foot pes planus with bilateral plantar fasciitis, metatarsalgia, left foot achilles spur and degenerative arthritis, and right foot hallux valgus from September 28, 2023 to May 29, 2025; denied a higher rating during other periods. The Board granted TDIU for the period from March 1, 2025 to June 6, 2025.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 70 percent for the service-connected left hip disability before May 27, 2025, and denied a higher rating from that date.

The Board granted service connection for several left-sided joint conditions and a right shoulder disability, while denying service connection for a skeletal system disorder other than degenerative arthritis and a right knee disability.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and tinnitus, but denied service connection for a left wrist condition, chronic fatigue syndrome, dry mouth, and a skin condition. Several claims were remanded for further development.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative disc disorder and right shoulder degenerative arthritis with rotator cuff tendinosis based on the evidence showing a relationship to active service.