Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board granted an initial 40 percent rating for incomplete paralysis of the left sciatic nerve and denied a higher rating, while remanding service connection for radiculopathy of the right lower extremity.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for hemorrhoids, left hip osteoarthritis and hip joint replacement, right hip osteoarthritis, limitation of flexion of the left knee status post arthroscopy with partial medial meniscectomy, and degenerative arthritis, but granted a separate 10 percent rating for symptomatic left knee meniscal tear.

The appeal for a higher disability rating for the left knee condition was dismissed as it had already been remanded and is now moot.

The Board denied service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and remanded claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis, right knee mild medial compartment osteoarthritis, and anxiety with depression.

The appeal for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left and right knees was dismissed as it was not timely filed.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of August 11, 2011, for the award of a 20 percent rating for left lower extremity radiculopathy and denied an earlier effective date for a 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus and denied a compensable rating for the residuals of tonsillectomy. The claims for left foot disability and prostate cancer were remanded.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for the left knee surgical scar and remanded higher rating claims for the left knee meniscal tear with surgical repair and residuals of patellofemoral syndrome, to include degenerative arthritis, as well as a right ankle degenerative arthritis.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for PTSD effective from May 24, 2023, but denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the cervical spine disability.

The Board remands the claims for further development to correct pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for the Veteran's disabilities and ancillary compensation benefits, finding that August 8, 2023, was correctly assigned as the effective date.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral pes planus and left foot degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's conditions were related to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, back disorder (including lumbago and lumbosacral spondylosis), sciatica in the right lower extremity, and sciatica in the left lower extremity.

The Board remands the case for a VA examination to assess the severity of the service-connected right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, knee joint osteoarthritis, extension.

The Board granted service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, as well as an increased disability rating of 10 percent for hypertension.

The Board remands the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to August 8, 2017, for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and spinal stenosis due to an insufficient medical opinion regarding the Veteran's flare-ups during the appeal period.

The Veteran requested the withdrawal of his appeals for initial evaluations and increased ratings for various left knee conditions, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for bilateral foot stress fractures with pes planus and degenerative arthritis, initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left foot hallux valgus, left knee meniscal tear status post meniscectomy with degenerative arthritis, left knee limitation of extension, left knee instability, and an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board granted earlier effective dates from February 3, 2022, for the award of service connection and ratings for erectile dysfunction, special monthly compensation based on loss of use of a creative organ, degenerative arthritis of the right index finger, and a 10 percent disability rating for degenerative arthritis of the right thumb.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD and a kidney condition, to include kidney cancer. The remaining conditions were remanded due to the need for additional evidence.