Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board denied the veteran's petitions to readjudicate claims for service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, right elbow lateral epicondylitis, left elbow lateral epicondylitis, and plantar fasciitis as no new and relevant evidence was submitted since the April 2020 rating decision.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the veteran's service-connected conditions, including trochanteric pain syndrome and bursitis, degenerative arthritis with spinal stenosis and disc bulge, right thumb ulnar collateral ligament tear, and lumbar radiculopathy, all effective April 16, 2023.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, and bilateral tinnitus. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis was denied. Other claims were either granted or remanded.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and a respiratory disability, including COPD and asthma, as secondary to the service-connected tuberculosis with lobectomy. The claims for a heart disability, diabetes mellitus, and kidney disability were remanded.

The Board granted the restoration of a 20 percent disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis effective April 7, 2022, and denied a higher rating.

The veteran's appeal for an increased rating for lumbar degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease was dismissed as it was not timely filed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, left hip degenerative arthritis, right hip degenerative arthritis, and headache disability (migraines), but denied a higher rating for the back sprain.

The Board granted service connection for left knee meniscal tear and osteoarthritis as secondary to the Veteran's right ankle and right knee disabilities.

The Board granted the Veteran's appeal and restored the 20 percent rating for her service-connected right knee strain and osteoarthritis, finding that the reduction was improper.

The Board remands the claims for additional development, including new VA examinations to assess the severity of the Veteran's disabilities and address reports of daily suicidal ideation.

The Board granted increased disability ratings for the service-connected back disability and sciatic nerve radiculopathy of both lower extremities, as well as an earlier effective date for TDIU and SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, finding it was aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected muscle spasm disorder due to meningitis. The issue of entitlement to service connection for arthritis of the bilateral hands is remanded.

The Board granted service connection for right knee degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, RLE sciatic radiculopathy, LLE sciatic radiculopathy, headache condition, and neck condition (manifested by pain with functional loss that can affect earning capacity).

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy of the femoral nerve, as well as a 20 percent rating for right knee joint osteoarthritis with limitation of extension.

The Board remands the service connection claims for left knee osteoarthritis, right knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis, and varicose veins of both lower extremities due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors.

The Board granted the restoration of a 20 percent rating for radiculopathy in both lower extremities and an initial 20 percent rating for left ankle degenerative arthritis, while denying a compensable rating for right hallux valgus.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine to obtain a VA medical opinion regarding direct service connection.

The Board granted service connection and increased ratings for the veteran's cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain, migraine headaches, and left and right lower extremity radiculopathies.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, as well as a TDIU.