Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for a deviated septum and right wrist pain, while denying service connection for sleep apnea. The decision also addressed various rating issues and effective dates.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right knee conditions, as well as a compensable rating for scars of the right knee.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, finding that the Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is related to an in-service bicycle accident.

The Board granted service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and right middle finger strain with degenerative arthritis. The claim for tuberculosis was denied.

The Board granted an initial, 20 percent disability rating for the Veteran's left ankle degenerative arthritis with lateral collateral ligament sprain.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left knee disability was granted, and the effective date for the award of a 30 percent rating for limited flexion in the left knee was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of September 27, 2023, for the award of service connection for left ankle osteoarthritis and remanded a claim for a higher disability evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted a 30 percent rating, while the lumbar and lower extremity radiculopathy claims are denied. An earlier effective date for right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted, and TDIU based on single service-connected disability is remanded.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's thoracic spine degenerative arthritis is caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, OSA, GERD, facial scarring, urinary frequency, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to a need for initial VA examinations.

The Board granted eligibility for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in an August 2024 rating decision.

The Board granted an effective date of January 25, 2022, for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee joint osteoarthritis, and right knee total replacement.

The Board dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates of service connection and DEA benefits, as they were not properly before the Board. The issues related to increased ratings and TDIU/Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) are remanded.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, but granted a separate rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy from October 20, 2020.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral knee, bilateral shoulder, low back and bilateral hip disabilities based on the evidence showing that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's appeals for increased ratings and remanded certain issues, including TDIU and SMC.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee, right knee, left hip, and right hip disability prior to the Veteran's death, as these disabilities were found to be directly related to an injury sustained during active military service.

The Board granted service connection for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis and lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration, cervical degenerative arthritis, left shoulder acromioclavicular joint degeneration, right hip strain, anxiety as secondary to the Veteran's back condition, and depression as secondary to the Veteran's back condition. The claims for service connection for a left knee condition and a right knee condition were denied.