Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Veteran was granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities, effective May 17, 2019.

The Board granted service connection for lumbosacral strain and degenerative arthritis of the spine, GERD as secondary to panic disorder and sleep apnea, and migraine headaches as secondary to panic disorder and erectile dysfunction. The effective date for asthma was denied earlier than November 28, 2016.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for left hip degenerative arthritis and strain, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for right hip osteoarthritis, impairment of thigh, and also denied initial compensable ratings for limitation of extension and flexion of the right hip.

The Board granted service connection for thoracolumbar spine degenerative arthritis and an initial compensable rating of 10 percent but no higher for left foot hallux limitus.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's insomnia disorder, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD with mild alcohol use disorder in partial remission was granted a disability rating of 70 percent, but no more, on and after July 19, 2021. Other claims for increased ratings were denied.

The Board granted a 70 percent rating for PTSD, but denied higher ratings and increased initial ratings for other conditions.

The Board remands all claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error and an insufficient VA examination.

The Board granted the service connection claim for lumbar degenerative arthritis with IVDS, stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and strain based on new and relevant evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and earlier effective dates, as well as service connection for a disability manifested by memory loss claimed as a neurobehavioral effect due to in-service exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.

The Board granted an initial 20 percent disability rating for left and right ankle degenerative arthritis effective May 9, 2016.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's left knee disability, including meniscal tear with osteoarthritis and instability, except for a separate 20 percent rating prior to January 26, 2024.

The Board denied service connection for seizures and restored a 20 percent disability evaluation for the Veteran's cervical strain with intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis of the spine with spinal stenosis effective October 12, 2021.

The Veteran was granted an effective date of December 11, 2020 for the grant of service connection and a 10 percent disability evaluation for patellofemoral pain syndrome and degenerative arthritis, left knee. The claim for service connection for chronic gastritis was remanded.

The Board granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, finding a medical nexus between the Veteran's in-service injury and his current disability.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, finding that they are secondary to his service-connected bilateral pes planus with right pes planovalgus deformity.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates prior to August 23, 2010 for service-connected degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and bilateral hip disabilities.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for the Veteran's service-connected lumbar strain with IVDS and degenerative arthritis, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, but remanded claims for increased ratings.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis with cervical spine fusion and spinal stenosis, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left hip degenerative joint disease, and right hip degenerative joint disease, all as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability.