Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for back injury and syrinx/hydromyelia, reopened the claims based on new evidence, and denied increased ratings for fibromyalgia, blepharospasm, small fiber neuropathy with autonomic dysfunction, and cervical spondylosis.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's degenerative disc disease at L4-5 and L5-S1, right shoulder condition, right elbow conditions, left knee osteoarthritis with meniscal tear, postmenopausal acne, and surgical scars of the lower back and right elbow. However, a 60 percent rating was granted for hypothyroidism prior to July 8, 2024, and TDIU from July 30, 2013.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various recurrent disabilities to allow for additional evidence review.

The Board granted service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis, a 30 percent rating for giardia lamblia, and a 30 percent rating for tinea versicolor. A total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was also granted from February 15, 2019.

The Board granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis and right leg crepitus, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing right knee injury was aggravated during active duty.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis, lumbar DDD, lumbosacral strain, and lumbar IVDS, as well as an increased rating of 50 percent from December 29, 2006 for the right fourth metacarpal fracture.

The Board granted increased initial ratings for the Veteran's right knee, left knee, and right shoulder degenerative arthritis conditions.

The Board denied service connection for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and denied an increased rating for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, but granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for tinnitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date and remanded service connection claims for radiculopathy affecting the femoral nerve in both lower extremities.

The Board remands the case to obtain an addendum medical opinion addressing the etiology of the Veteran's lower back disorder, including whether it was caused by or aggravated by his service-connected cervical spine disability, right knee disability, and/or right ankle disability.

The Board remands the claims for a higher rating for the right leg tibia and fibula disability, service connection for a left leg and left foot condition, and entitlement to TDIU due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted service connection for right knee strain, osteoarthritis, and patellofemoral pain syndrome, a left hip condition, and a right eye injury to include double vision. The Board also granted ratings of 30 percent for migraine headaches prior to December 13, 2021, and 20 percent from March 26, 2022, for left lower extremity radiculopathy (LLER).

The Board remands the claims for service connection for lumbosacral strain, left lower lumbar condition, right lower lumbar condition, and left hand fracture dislocation left proximal 5th phalanx at MCP joint s/p reduction with degenerative arthritis to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for right knee joint osteoarthritis due to a lack of compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's left hip degenerative arthritis, status-post surgical resurfacing, was granted a 50 percent disability evaluation.

The Board granted service connection for major depressive disorder, degenerative arthritis and disc disease of the lumbar spine, and multiple sclerosis. The increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant due to a lack of evidence showing that any service-connected disabilities result in loss of use of lower extremities or other qualifying conditions.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for sleep apnea and nummular dermatitis, eczema, but denied a higher disability rating for left foot metatarsalgia fracture, with Morton's neuroma, hammer toes, hallux valgus, hallux rigidus, plantar fasciitis, pes planus and degenerative arthritis, and an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for sleep apnea.

The Board granted service connection for a lumbosacral spine condition, including degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome, annular tear of L5/S1, lumbar neuritis/neuralgia, and herniated disc L5/S1. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea was remanded for further consideration.