Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board denied a compensable rating for the service-connected tenia pedis and onychomycosis bilateral feet, denied earlier effective dates for increased ratings and service connection, and remanded several claims for further development.

The Board remands the claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with degenerative arthritis, sacroiliac joint dysfunction and sequelae L4-L5 fusion and bilateral laminectomy to cure a duty to assist error.

The Board denied the restoration of a 50 percent disability rating for the service-connected bilateral flat foot with degenerative arthritis and plantar fasciitis, finding that there had been an improvement in the disability and that the improvement reflected an improvement in the ability to function under the ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board granted service connection for right shoulder tendinitis, to include degenerative arthritis, as the condition manifested within one year of separation from service and was not attributable to intercurrent causes.

The Board granted service connection for right ankle tendinitis and impingement syndrome, synovitis, and degenerative arthritis of the left ankle as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's service connection for generalized anxiety disorder was granted, while several other claims for increased ratings were denied. A 10 percent rating was also granted for certain scars starting from September 24, 2021.

The Board denied the claims for increased ratings and remanded a service connection claim, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or establish service connection.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for the veteran's back disability, service connection for left leg radiculopathy as secondary to the back disability, and a 10 percent disability rating for recurrent acute sinusitis.

The Board grants service connection for various disabilities, including degenerative arthritis and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, cervical arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, posterior neck scar, neurological impairments of all extremities, hypopharyngeal mucosa laceration with residual dysphagia and esophagus dysfunction, neurogenic bowel dysfunction, neurogenic bladder dysfunction, and erectile dysfunction, as secondary to service-connected spinal disabilities.

The appeal was dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Board granted service connection for cervical strain with bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy and remanded the other issues for further development.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for right and left foot pes planus and degenerative arthritis effective May 19, 2021, but denied ratings in excess of 10 percent prior to that date.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for the lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and left lower extremity radiculopathy prior to April 19, 2023, but dismissed the appeal for a higher rating from that date. The decision also denied special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The claims for a rating in excess of 30 percent for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and a rating in excess of 20 percent for a thoracolumbar spine disability, characterized as degenerative disc disease and degenerative arthritis, are remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with DDD of the lumbar spine is granted an initial rating of 40 percent, and a TDIU is also granted.

The Veteran's PTSD with acute TBI was increased from 50% to 70%, but no higher, while other claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Board granted restoration of the 20 percent disability rating for right knee instability, effective March 11, 2024, and an earlier effective date of May 24, 2021, for a TDIU rating. SMC aid and attendance was also granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for service connection for PTSD and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, as the evidence did not support a claim prior to August 27, 2019.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD with alcohol use disorder, tension headaches, and a separate 10 percent rating for RIGHT knee instability, effective October 19, 2018. The increased rating claim for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board granted service connection for back disability, neck disability, anemia, right shoulder impingement and degenerative arthritis, back scars, stenosis and facet joint hypertrophy of the lumbar spine and chronic thoracic myalgia, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity radiculopathy.