Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board granted a 40 percent rating for the cervical spine disability, a 30 percent rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy, and restored a 40 percent rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Board remands the claim for a compensable rating for right hip strain with bursitis and osteoarthritis (limited flexion) to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the effects of medication on the severity of the Veteran's condition.

The Board remands the claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine to correct a duty to assist error.

The Board granted service connection for left shoulder strain, right shoulder strain, early osteoarthritis of the left and right hips (secondary to a service-connected knee disability), and right and left ankle strains (secondary to a service-connected knee disability).

The Board remands the claim for a lower back condition secondary to a service-connected left knee condition due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding aggravation.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis as it is not etiologically related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, right knee strain, and left knee strain on a direct basis.

The Board denied various claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, with the exception of granting a 10 percent rating for right knee instability.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with DDD, a cervical condition as secondary to the claimed lumbar degenerative changes, and bilateral upper extremity nerve conditions as secondary to a cervical disability.

The Board granted service connection for several conditions, including a back condition, left lower extremity radiculopathy, chronic fatigue syndrome, and migraine headaches, among others. It also granted increased ratings for PTSD and moderate, recurrent, major depressive disorder with anxious distress.

The Board granted a 20 percent disability rating for cervical strain and a separate 10 percent rating for limited lateral excursion range of motion due to TMJD, while denying an initial rating higher than 70 percent for PTSD and dismissing the claim for a rating higher than 10 percent for allergic rhinitis as moot.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings for bilateral shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis with chronic pain were partially granted, allowing an effective date of November 4, 2018, but no earlier.

The Board granted service connection for a back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy on a secondary basis, finding the evidence to be in equipoise.

The Board dismissed the appeals for higher ratings on all claims due to untimely Notices of Disagreement.

The Board granted service connection for right and left knee degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral ankle strain, right plantar spur, and bilateral hallux valgus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a compensable rating for left and right hip degenerative arthritis affecting various aspects of joint function.

The Board denied service connection for metabolic syndrome and remanded claims for diabetes, lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, and tension headaches due to insufficient evidence.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral flat foot (pes planus) to include plantar fasciitis, intervertebral disc syndrome with degenerative arthritis, and right knee tendonitis. Bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Board granted service connection for an intestinal disability, manifesting as irregular bowel movements causing impairment in earning capacity. The Veteran was also denied a higher initial rating for low back pain with degenerative arthritis, stenosis, and strain, but granted a 10 percent rating from March 30, 2024, for tension headaches.