Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board denied entitlement to higher ratings for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities, but granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability from April 22 to April 30, 2015.

The Board remands the matter for additional evidentiary development and to ensure proper handling of the supplemental statement of the case.

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and denied higher ratings for the Veteran's degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbar spine, left leg radiculopathy, hemorrhoids, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran was granted a 20 percent evaluation for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and denied higher ratings for right and left knee conditions.

The Board denied increased ratings for several service-connected conditions and granted service connection for a few others, including tinea pedis, bilateral dry eye syndrome, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, left knee disability (secondary), right knee disability (secondary), and right ankle disability (secondary).

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy and remanded the issue of a higher rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded several other claims.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's low back disability, as the most recent examination report is deemed inadequate.

The Board granted service connection for cervical degenerative arthritis with anterolisthesis based on the evidence showing a nexus between the current disability and an in-service injury.

The Veteran's low back condition and right knee condition were granted ratings of 50 percent and 20 percent, respectively, from December 1, 2023. The other conditions for which increased ratings were sought were denied.

The Board denied service connection for headaches and denied increased ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, right knee DJD limitation of flexion, left shoulder arthritis, and other issues. However, the Board granted a 70 percent rating for depressive disorder and separate 20 percent ratings for right knee instability and right knee DJD limitation of extension.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral cataracts, restrictive lung disease/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), right knee osteoarthritis, left knee osteoarthritis, right hip osteoarthritis, left hip osteoarthritis, and low back pain/back osteoarthritis. The claim for a compensable initial disability rating for hypertension was denied.

The Board granted service connection for right ankle strain and increased disability ratings to 30 percent for right shoulder AC joint osteoarthritis, right knee arthritic changes, left knee meniscal repair, sinusitis, and vertigo.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and remanded several other issues, including a claim for TDIU.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the grant of service connection and ratings for bilateral knee degenerative arthritis with patellofemoral pain syndrome and tendonitis, as well as higher initial disability ratings.

The Board denied service connection for a left shoulder disorder, sinusitis, and a nerve disorder other than service-connected bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy. However, it granted an initial 20 percent rating for left great toe gout and a 50 percent rating for migraines.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent rating for left ankle strain and earlier effective dates of August 24, 1998 for service connection of hammertoes in the feet. Other claims were denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his back and nerve disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran is granted an earlier effective date of October 26, 2011, for the award of service connection for a low back condition. The claims for earlier effective dates for right and left lower extremity radiculopathy are denied.

The Board denied service connection for all the claimed conditions as there was no evidence of a current diagnosis or etiological relationship to active duty service.