Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability, to include osteoarthritis, as there was no evidence of a chronic condition during or immediately after his military separation and the current disability was more likely age-related.

The Board granted separate evaluations of 20 percent for right knee instability and left knee instability, as well as a TDIU from December 4, 2016, to December 4, 2017, and from December 4, 2017.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent and 20 percent for cervical spine spondylosis and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis, as an adequate medical opinion has not been obtained.

The Board remands the claims for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right third toe disability and entitlement to TDIU due to outstanding evidence and further development.

The Board remands the claims for additional development, specifically to obtain adequate retrospective VA medical opinions addressing the criteria noted in Correia v. McDonald and Sharp v. Shulkin.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, claimed as neck pain, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between the Veteran's current disability and her period of active service.

The Board granted the restoration of a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's lumbosacral spine disability, effective December 1, 2024.

The Board denied service connection for benign micro adenoma of the pituitary and hypogonadism as secondary to it, and remanded several other conditions for further development.

The appeal for service connection for left acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis was dismissed by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome and retrolisthesis L2-L3, degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic, right knee, lateral collateral ligament sprain (chronic/recurrent), left ankle, right ankle, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), tinea pedis, fallen arches, and left knee instability due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for a lumbar spine condition to ensure that outstanding service treatment records and private treatment records are obtained.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for cause of death due to a need for additional evidence and an adequate medical examination.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, finding it to be related to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knee osteoarthritis.

The appeal to reverse or revise the May 2004 and June 2004 rating decisions that denied service connection for a cervical spine disability on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) was denied.

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for the right knee disability and a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage, subject to the statutes and regulations governing the award of monetary payments.

The Board granted service connection for right knee strain with osteoarthritis, finding a link to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board granted service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis but denied claims for bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and an initial rating higher than 70 percent for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board remands the claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person to afford the Veteran a VA examination.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a thoracolumbar condition, mononeuropathy of the sciatic nerve, and glaucoma to obtain an adequate medical opinion.

The Board remands the appeal for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's knee disabilities and determine whether he is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.