Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The appeal for service connection for headaches was granted and subsequently dismissed, while the claims for respiratory insufficiency, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) rating increase, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were denied.

The Board granted service connection for papillary thyroid cancer status post thyroidectomy and readjudicated the claims for right knee osteoarthritis and left knee osteoarthritis based on new and relevant evidence.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for osteoarthritis of the left knee due to an inadequate medical opinion.

The Board granted an initial disability rating of 60 percent for asthma and COPD, but denied higher ratings for other conditions.

The Board denied increased ratings for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and left lower extremity radiculopathy, but granted an initial 20 percent evaluation for right lower extremity radiculopathy prior to June 12, 2020.

The Board granted service connection for asthma, right knee strain, left knee strain, and thoracic and lumbar degenerative arthritis with lumbar degenerative disc disease.

The Veteran's service connection for hypertension is granted, while the evaluation greater than 20 percent for hemorrhoids is denied. Several claims for service connection are remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left knee strains with degenerative arthritis due to an error by the AOJ in failing to provide notice of the Veteran's right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis of the left shoulder, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity as secondary to a low back disability. The Veteran was also granted an initial 30 percent rating for each condition.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left knee, right knee, and right elbow. The remaining claims were remanded for further development.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 40 percent for the lumbar condition and 30 percent for the cervical condition, but remanded other claims including service connection for a left elbow condition and evaluations for various knee and hand conditions.

The Board remands the claim for a back condition to obtain an adequate medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's disability had its onset during his period of active service. The other issues were remanded due to deficiencies in the evidence.

The Board granted restoration of a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's left hip limitation of flexion and a 10 percent rating for left hip limitation of extension, effective March 12, 2025.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis with lumbosacral strain and denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss. Other claims were remanded.

The Board denied increased ratings for cervical spine degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, as well as right upper extremity radiculopathy of the upper and middle radicular nerve groups.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of lumbar spine; lumbar strain, as the Veteran's disability did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The appeal for direct payment of fees based on past-due benefits awarded in a March 2024 Rating Decision was dismissed as the funds were disbursed to the Veteran.

The Board granted increased ratings of 40 percent for degenerative arthritis, lumbosacral strain with vertebral fracture and 20 percent each for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. The claims for headaches and gastrointestinal issues were remanded.