Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The veteran withdrew his appeals for various ratings related to his right and left knee conditions, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis, granted a separate 20 percent rating for right knee instability from September 29, 2011, and granted an initial 10 percent rating for vertigo from the same date. The Board also denied service connection for restrictive lung disease, hypertension, cardiac muscle damage, testicular and groin pain, neck disability, back disability, right hand disability, right elbow disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right hip disability, and left hip disability.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy and cervical degenerative arthritis to correct pre-decisional errors, including failing to obtain relevant private medical treatment records and providing an adequate VA examination.

The Board granted the restoration of a 40 percent rating for degenerative disc disease other than intervertebral disc syndrome with spinal stenosis from October 13, 2022, due to improper procedural guidelines in implementing the rating reduction.

The Board denied service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with degenerative arthritis, and sinusitis as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board denied service connection for several conditions, granted service connection for a left shoulder strain and an initial rating of 100 percent for right knee instability s/p ACL reconstruction, and remanded claims related to adjustment disorder, hearing loss, and tinnitus.

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error, as the November 2023 TERA opinions are inadequate.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis lumbar spine, left lower extremity sciatica, and right lower extremity sciatica as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities other than traumatic brain injury (TBI) with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including an abdominal tear, right lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee disability, right hamstring tendonitis, and a right hip strain, as there was no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries, diseases, or events related to these conditions.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of both knees and a rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral plantar fasciitis with left heel spur, as well as the TDIU claim, to obtain further evidence.

The Board granted restoration of the 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine, effective September 28, 2020, and granted service connection for fibromyalgia. The other claims were either denied or remanded.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for back disability, to include lumbosacral strain and thoracic strain, and cervical strain with degenerative arthritis due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 12, 1982, for the award of service connection for a back disability based on the Veteran's informal claim.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the thoracolumbar spine, left knee osteoarthritis, and left ankle sprain, while denying service connection for hypertension. The Board also granted an initial 20% rating for bilateral dry eye syndrome but denied compensable ratings for bilateral pinguecula and a right ring finger disability.

The Board denied service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and left hip osteoarthritis as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or are otherwise related to active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right hip disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable criteria.

The Veteran was granted an initial 70 percent evaluation for right hip osteoarthritis with residuals of right hip replacement from October 1, 2019 to the present.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent disabling for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an increased rating and earlier effective dates, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating or earlier effective date.