Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board remands the veteran's claims for further development, including additional VA examinations to assess the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected left hip, left knee, right knee, and right ankle disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, finding a medical link between these conditions and the Veteran's active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for multiple myeloma, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, cervical spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right knee scar, and bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and hallux valgus. Service connection was granted for bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and hallux valgus.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the Veteran's awards of service connection and denied increased ratings, except for a 20% rating from October 19, 2020 to October 1, 2021 for his lumbar spine disability.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the assignment of separate 20 percent ratings for right and left knee instability, but denied earlier effective dates for increased ratings for PTSD and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis.

The Board remands the claim for special monthly compensation to correct a duty to assist error and to obtain an examination regarding potential loss of use of extremities.

The Board remands all claims for service connection for various conditions secondary to hemochromatosis due to the need for additional development.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis in the right knee, degenerative arthritis in the lower back, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The claim for an eye disorder was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent, prior to March 28, 2022, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter, for right shoulder impingement with rotator cuff and bicipital tendonitis along with glenohumeral and acromioclavicular osteoarthritis.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of multiple joints and chronic chest pain, but granted service connection for chronic renal disease.

The Board remands the issues related to the veteran's service-connected left knee conditions for additional development, including verification of contact information and obtaining necessary consents.

The Board granted service connection for right and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbosacral strain, cervical strain, bilateral knee strain and left knee osteoarthritis, bilateral hip trochanteric pain syndrome, bilateral elbow strain, bilateral foot degenerative arthritis, bilateral shoulder strain, and bilateral hand strain. OSA was denied.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome, with degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and lumbosacral strain; lumbar radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities, sciatic nerve; and migraines.

The Board remands the claims for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy to obtain outstanding treatment records from non-VA providers.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain, dorsalgia, and degenerative arthritis alone have prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment since August 2, 2023.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a back condition, left knee joint osteoarthritis, and right knee joint osteoarthritis secondary to plantar fasciitis due to inadequate medical opinions regarding aggravation.

The Board remands the claims for further development and evidence collection, as some relevant private treatment records have not been obtained.

The Board remands the matter for a full and adequate VA opinion to address the Veteran's in-service back injuries and stressors.

The Board granted service connection for left shoulder degenerative arthritis, right shoulder degenerative arthritis, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine. The rating for the Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right wrist/arm was restored to 20 percent effective June 1, 2024.

The Board denied the claims for increased ratings and remanded certain issues for further development.