Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another since September 30, 2020.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for right hand, thumb degenerative arthritis to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to provide an adequate VA medical opinion.

The Board dismissed the appeal for restoration of a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and a 20 percent rating for lower left extremity radiculopathy as the ratings were restored in an April 30, 2025 Higher-Level Review (HLR) rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of service connection for degenerative arthritis left knee and right knee strain with osteoarthritis.

The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability since September 26, 2024.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine based on the Veteran's limited range of motion, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, mental health, and lower extremity disabilities have precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation effective January 1, 2015, but no earlier. A rating in excess of 40 percent for the low back disability is not warranted.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for right knee instability and a 20 percent rating for painful and/or limited motion of the right knee, but denied a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the right knee.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the award of a 40 percent rating for left knee instability with osteoarthritis and special monthly compensation (SMC) at the housebound rate.

The Board remands the claims for an increased rating, service connection as secondary to a back disability, TDIU, and SMC due to the need for aid and attendance.

The Board granted service connection for left hand chondrocalcinosis with degenerative arthritis, resolving reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board granted service connection for left shoulder strain as secondary to the service-connected right shoulder osteoarthritis, denied service connection for erectile dysfunction, and remanded the claim for a low back disability as secondary to the service-connected pes planus.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, left and right lower extremity radiculopathies, left and right hip pain, right knee degenerative arthritis, generalized anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder.

The Board remanded the case regarding a $9,252.41 debt issued to the Veteran after a rating decision granted service connection for various right knee conditions and assigned a temporary 100 percent evaluation. The Veteran disputes whether the debt represents an overpayment or retroactive pay, and the Board found the Veteran was not adequately notified of the specific basis for the alleged debt.

The appeal was remanded for the AOJ to provide the Veteran with notice concerning his right to a hearing under 38 C.F.R. § 3.103(b)(1) and (d)(1).

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection and rating issues due to untimely filings or lack of jurisdiction over deferred claims.

The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected hypertension and an earlier effective date of May 14, 2018, for radiculopathy right lower extremity. Other claims were denied.

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the Veteran's low back disability and a 10 percent rating for bilateral shin splints, while denying increased ratings for other disabilities.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the ratings of generalized anxiety disorder, right shoulder strain with AC joint osteoarthritis and AC joint separation, clavicle and/or scapula impairment, and tinnitus.