Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has found that the Veteran's diagnosed back disability is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service and remanded for further examination of his right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding whether the Veteran's current conditions are aggravated by his service-connected DDD of the lumbosacral spine. The AOJ is required to obtain new medical opinions addressing this issue.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back disability, including diagnosed degenerative arthritis with DDD other than intervertebral disc syndrome and spinal stenosis status post L3, L4, and L5 laminectomy. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury and his ongoing symptoms since then.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty-to-assist error regarding the left knee disability. The Veteran's left knee disability was pre-existing and the examiner must determine if it was aggravated during service.

The Board has determined that the claims for increased rating and service connection must be remanded due to inadequate examinations and duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis and DDD, as well as right and left lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the now service-connected lumbar spine condition. The decision is based on a finding of relative equipoise in the evidence regarding whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of various conditions due to untimely filing of the appeal.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of right foot degenerative arthritis before the Board could make a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that it is related to his in-service injury. The claimant did not contest this decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been granted. The initial rating of 10 percent, but not higher, has been assigned for pulmonary sarcoidosis. Service connection has also been established for migraine headaches, degenerative arthritis in the left knee, right knee disorder (osteoarthritis), right ankle sprain, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, bilateral flat feet, and various foot conditions.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome was granted service connection as it is at least as likely as not secondary to his in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and a new one must be conducted to assess the severity of the Veteran's left knee disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, including degenerative arthritis and IVDS. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service injury during active duty and his continuous symptoms since then.

The Veteran's appeals for a higher rating, compensable rating, and extension of temporary total evaluation for his lumbar spine disability have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing all claims in April 2022.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for Marfan's syndrome was dismissed as the appellant withdrew his request.,Service connection is granted for left lower extremity neuropathy of the sciatic nerve (left foot disability) and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The low back degenerative arthritis has also been granted.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral knee disabilities as the evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to military service.,Service connection cannot be granted because there is no showing of chronicity or continuity of symptoms within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's left knee condition, bilateral foot disabilities, and keratoconus have been granted service connection.,A reduction in the rating for hemorrhoids was improper, and the original rating of 20 percent has been restored.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, with a rating of 10 percent.,The Veteran's back disability remains at a 40 percent rating. The Board finds the evidence does not support an increase to higher ratings.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the femoral nerve in both lower extremities are each granted initial 20 percent ratings.,Service connection for GAD, bilateral hearing loss, and chronic kidney pain is remanded.,A compensable disability rating (greater than 0 percent) for chronic kidney infections is also remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence for a schedular rating, and the issues are inextricably intertwined.

Left hand pain and right hand pain have been dismissed as the issues were resolved in a separate March 2026 decision.,Degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis has been granted, but left hand pain and right hand pain remain pending.