Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board denied various claims for increased ratings and effective dates, except for granting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board determined that the RO's April 2024 rating decision was void ab initio and restored the separate 20 percent rating for left foot degenerative arthritis and metatarsalgia, status post old Jones fracture, effective October 5, 2022.

The appeal regarding the proposed reduction of the rating for lumbar strain has been dismissed as it does not address a specific entitlement.

The Board remands the claim for a housebound and aid and attendance examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities require regular aid and attendance.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased rating due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board remands the claim for further development, including obtaining an opinion on whether it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate in the PCAFC program and providing complete notice as required by law.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disability, to include as secondary to service-connected left tibia or right knee disabilities.

The Board denied the claims for an increased disability evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, dismissed the claim for an increased evaluation of left shoulder glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis and service connection for vertigo due to untimely appeals.

The Board remands the claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee degenerative arthritis and in excess of 20 percent for left shoulder osteoarthritis to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error.

The Board granted a 20 percent rating for painful left knee scars and a 20 percent rating for the left knee disability based on dislocation of semilunar cartilage, but denied a compensable rating for left knee scars based on disfigurement. The right knee claim was remanded.

The Board granted a 30 percent disability rating for tension headaches from September 10, 2021, to August 27, 2022, and denied increased ratings for other conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a migraine headache disorder and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, and assigned a 10 percent rating for his lumbar area surgical scar. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran, and all issues on appeal are dismissed.

The appeal for service connection for right knee osteoarthritis was dismissed due to an impermissible concurrent election of review options.

The Board remands the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his right and left hip disorders, characterized as both limitation of flexion and extension, right knee disability, and right ankle disability due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Board denied the claims for increased ratings, finding that the Veteran's service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board remands the claims for a retrospective opinion regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disability due to an inadequate examination and inextricably intertwined issues with TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for right and left knee disabilities, denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and intervertebral disc syndrome of the lumbosacral spine, and denied ratings in excess of 20 percent for various radiculopathies. However, it granted an initial 20 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve prior to December 30, 2019.

The Board granted service connection for multiple conditions, including right and left shoulder strains with degenerative arthritis, right and left hip degenerative arthritis, left ankle degenerative arthritis with chronic instability and anterior talofibular ligament strain, cervical spine degenerative disc disease with degenerative arthritis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea, all of which are secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracic spine, finding continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.