Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board denied an increased disability rating for PTSD, readjudicated the claim for a neck disability, and denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine. The claim for chronic kidney disease and kidney stones was remanded.

The Board remands the veteran's claims for an increased rating and service connection due to duty-to-assist errors, including outstanding treatment records and inadequate VA examinations.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date and evaluation in excess of certain ratings for various service-connected conditions, as well as a claim for TDIU, due to the need for updated medical information.

The appeal for service connection for cervical spine, bilateral hip, bilateral ankle, gastrointestinal disorder, and hypertension was withdrawn by the appellant. The TDIU rating claim was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from engaging in substantially gainful employment since December 13, 2010.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, post laminectomy syndrome, and surgical fusion C5/6 and C6/7, as well as bilateral cervical radiculopathy of the upper extremities, secondary to these conditions.

The Board remands the claim for a VA examination to address the Veteran's lay statements and provide an opinion on whether his lumbar spine condition is related to his active-duty service or his service-connected bilateral knee condition.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis, claimed as a lower back condition, finding that the Veteran's current back condition was not caused by his military service.

The Board granted an effective date of November 10, 2022, for the award of a 60 percent rating for the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis and DDD of the lumbar spine and a 10 percent rating for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board granted service connection for IBS, chronic sinusitis, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy (secondary to lumbar spine disability), increased ratings for the lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, and increased ratings for knee instability and upper extremity radiculopathy. Tension headaches were also granted an initial rating.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings to correct errors by the AOJ, including obtaining medical opinions that adequately address the Veteran's symptoms and medical history.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis, right knee and left knee.

The Board denied service connection for left and right hip osteoarthritis, finding no evidence that these conditions were caused or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability. The claims for secondary service connection for bilateral flatfoot, right ankle degenerative arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis are remanded for further development.

The Board denied the application to readjudicate a previously denied claim of service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine, as no new and relevant evidence was submitted. The claims for prostate cancer and bladder disability were remanded for further development.

The Board granted the restoration of a 20 percent evaluation for service-connected bilateral temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction effective June 23, 2022, and denied increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board denied increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including trauma- and stressor-related disorder, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, knee disabilities, and scars.

The Veteran's service connection for erectile dysfunction on a direct basis was granted effective September 27, 2019, and special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of a creative organ was also granted from the same date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection for back disability, as the earliest possible date was September 26, 2020.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee disability, diagnosed as patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis.