Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted a 30 percent rating, while the lumbar and lower extremity radiculopathy claims are denied. An earlier effective date for right lower extremity radiculopathy was granted, and TDIU based on single service-connected disability is remanded.

The Board remands the claim for a new VA examination to address whether the Veteran's thoracic spine degenerative arthritis is caused or aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, OSA, GERD, facial scarring, urinary frequency, and left knee degenerative arthritis due to a need for initial VA examinations.

The Board granted eligibility for attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in an August 2024 rating decision.

The Board granted an effective date of January 25, 2022, for the award of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left knee joint osteoarthritis, and right knee total replacement.

The Board dismissed the appeals for earlier effective dates of service connection and DEA benefits, as they were not properly before the Board. The issues related to increased ratings and TDIU/Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) are remanded.

The Board denied earlier effective dates for the award of service connection and denied increased ratings for various disabilities, but granted a separate rating for left upper extremity radiculopathy from October 20, 2020.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral knee, bilateral shoulder, low back and bilateral hip disabilities based on the evidence showing that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board denied the veteran's appeals for increased ratings and remanded certain issues, including TDIU and SMC.

The Board granted service connection for a left knee, right knee, left hip, and right hip disability prior to the Veteran's death, as these disabilities were found to be directly related to an injury sustained during active military service.

The Board granted service connection for thoracolumbar degenerative arthritis and lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration, cervical degenerative arthritis, left shoulder acromioclavicular joint degeneration, right hip strain, anxiety as secondary to the Veteran's back condition, and depression as secondary to the Veteran's back condition. The claims for service connection for a left knee condition and a right knee condition were denied.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another since September 30, 2020.

The Board remands the claim for service connection for right hand, thumb degenerative arthritis to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to provide an adequate VA medical opinion.

The Board dismissed the appeal for restoration of a 40 percent rating for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and a 20 percent rating for lower left extremity radiculopathy as the ratings were restored in an April 30, 2025 Higher-Level Review (HLR) rating decision.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of service connection for degenerative arthritis left knee and right knee strain with osteoarthritis.

The Board granted a 40 percent disability rating for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability since September 26, 2024.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for degenerative arthritis of the spine based on the Veteran's limited range of motion, which did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine, mental health, and lower extremity disabilities have precluded him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation effective January 1, 2015, but no earlier. A rating in excess of 40 percent for the low back disability is not warranted.