Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the bilateral foot and hands as further development is needed to address the Veteran's reported pain and functional impairment.

The Board granted a 10 percent initial rating for hypertension and denied higher ratings or service connection for the other conditions.

The Board granted initial disability ratings of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome, 10 percent for chronic sinusitis, 50 percent for tension headaches, and 30 percent for left shoulder degenerative arthritis.

The Board granted a 40% rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis, but denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated as 10 percent disabling, and the claims for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, a back disability, and bilateral lower extremity peripheral nerve condition are remanded.

The Board granted an initial increased rating of 20 percent, but no higher, prior to August 6, 2021, for left ankle degenerative arthritis and denied an increased rating above 20 percent since August 6, 2021.

The Board remands the issues of an increased rating for osteoarthritis, left shoulder acromioclavicular joint and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for status post reconstruction of right nasal side-wall defect with advancement flap with pharyngitis and remanded the other issues.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and a neck disability, both diagnosed as degenerative arthritis, based on the evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, cervical spondylosis, and cervical osteophyte, as well as duodenal ulcers. The remaining claims were denied or remanded.

The appeal for a higher disability rating for the Veteran's back condition was dismissed due to the withdrawal of the claim during a Board hearing.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, finding that the evidence is in at least approximate balance as to whether the Veteran has experienced left knee pain since separation from active service.

The Board denied service connection for recurrent right and left knee disabilities, as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The appeal for service connection for COPD, a right hand disability, and a left hand disability was denied. The appeal for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) was dismissed. Service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease with dextroscoliosis, and invertebral disc disease (IVDS), as well as knee instability, was granted with specific ratings.,The Veteran's right hand disability is not related to service.,The Veteran's left hand disability is not related to service.,The appeal for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been dismissed.,A 40 percent rating for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease with dextroscoliosis, and invertebral disc disease (IVDS), was granted from February 22, 2022. A 20 percent rating for right knee instability and left knee instability was granted from March 7, 2021.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability in service or within one year of separation from service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for a right hand disability, cervical spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board granted an initial increased rating of 30 percent for GERD and service connection for osteoarthritis of the left hip as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability, including degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), spinal stenosis, and multilevel post surgical changes related to L2-S1 laminectomy/ fusion.

The Board granted an increased rating to 50 percent for the Veteran's bilateral foot condition from February 25, 2020 to January 10, 2022, but denied ratings in excess of 10 percent and 50 percent at other times.

The Board remands the issue of service connection for a recurrent right elbow disability to include degenerative arthritis for further development, specifically requesting an additional VA examination.