Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board remands the matter for additional development, including a new VA examination to address the Veteran's back disability and ensure the examination is adequate in light of the Court's holding in Correia v. McDonald.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, degenerative arthritis of the spine, bilateral shoulder conditions, and bilateral knee conditions, preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of December 20, 1969 for the award of service connection for cervical strain with degenerative arthritis, spinal stenosis and intervertebral disc syndrome but denied earlier effective dates for other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for idiopathic hypersomnia and an initial rating greater than 10 percent for degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease other than IVDS of the lumbosacral spine were granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance in calendar year 2021 for a back brace, as there was no evidence that the use of the back brace resulted in wear and tear on the outer garment.

The appeal for disability ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right hip conditions was withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was promulgated.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted a rating of 70 percent, and TDIU was also granted.

The Board granted service connection for hypertension and hypertensive heart disease, both on a presumptive basis due to herbicide exposure. The claims for increased ratings for the right and left shoulder conditions were denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for hypertension, service connection for right and left shoulder osteoarthritis, and dismissed his appeal for service connection for a left deltoid disorder.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's depressive disorder was granted a rating of 70 percent, and TDIU was also granted.

The Board granted a higher initial rating of 70 percent for major depressive disorder from July 21, 2010, through October 24, 2019, and denied an initial rating in excess of 70 percent on and after October 25, 2019. The Board also granted ratings of 30 percent and 10 percent for left knee strain with degenerative arthritis based on limitation of flexion and extension, respectively.

The Board denied service connection for joint conditions of the right and left hands, as well as initial compensable ratings for various hip and knee disabilities.

The Board granted initial ratings of 30 percent for right and left knee disabilities, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) and remanded claims for service connection for bilateral hip osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been found to render him unable to physically care for himself, thereby granting special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or an earlier effective date prior to the specified dates.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, including intervertebral disc syndrome, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether it is related to the Veteran's service.

The Board denied service connection for left hand arthritis, a rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the left wrist, and a compensable rating for left 4th digit mallet finger.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spine condition and left knee condition, while denying service connection for costochondritis, dizziness, right foot condition, sleep apnea, a rating in excess of 20 percent for right shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis with calcific tendinopathy, supraspinatus tendon status-post acromioplasty/distal clavicle excision, and a compensable rating for scar of right shoulder. The initial rating for PTSD was denied.