Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back condition, left leg radiculopathy, and right leg radiculopathy as secondary to a lower back condition. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the case to obtain VA examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment since June 30, 2018. The Board has granted a TDIU effective July 1, 2018.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with degenerative disc disease, finding that the Veteran's current condition did not have its onset during service and was not otherwise related to his in-service treatment.

Service connection for degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine and anxiety is granted. The Veteran's right lower extremity radiculopathy, right knee condition, and OSA are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has restored a 10% disability rating for degenerative arthritis, other than post-traumatic right knee (limitation of flexion), effective December 8, 2025, finding that the reduction was improper due to insufficient evidence of improvement in the Veteran's condition.

The Veteran's acne (claimed as facial skin disorder) is not service-connected.,The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine (claimed as lower back condition) is not service-connected.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected.,The Veteran's tinnitus is not service-connected.

The Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy is granted a 40 percent rating, and the left upper extremity radiculopathy is granted a 30 percent rating. The cervical spine degenerative arthritis does not meet the criteria for a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's lumbar strain with degenerative arthritis, finding that his disability does not meet the criteria for an increased rating based on functional loss or ankylosis.

The Veteran's current degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is being remanded for a determination on whether it is aggravated by his service-connected bilateral hip disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain a medical examination for his sleep apnea claim. The right knee disability rating issue remains denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left ankle condition, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current disability and his military service.

The Veteran's left and right first toe osteoarthritis are granted with a 20% rating. The Veteran's PTSD is granted at a 70% rating since July 24, 2023.

The Veteran's right and left knee osteoarthritis and instability were granted increased ratings, with the effective date being February 27, 2020.

The Board has granted service connection for left tibialis anterior muscle strain and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The appeal of the proposal to discontinue service connection for residuals of prostate cancer with erectile dysfunction, including special monthly compensation for loss of use of a creative organ is dismissed. The issues of right and left knee disorders, DMII, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than January 18, 2022, for the grant of initial 20 percent ratings for his low back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy were denied.,The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than January 18, 2022, for the grant of initial 20 percent ratings for his right lower extremity sciatic nerve radiculopathy and bilateral lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy were denied.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including instability and painful motion, is rated at 20 percent. The decision also granted separate ratings for left knee instability.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, right knee arthritis, and left knee arthritis. The claims for PTSD and radiculopathy are remanded.