Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for a cervical spine condition to include degenerative arthritis and spondylosis based on the Veteran's continuity of symptoms since active duty.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection for the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's right knee joint disability was rated at 10 percent prior to November 9, 2023. From that date until March 10, 2024, a 100 percent evaluation was granted, and from March 10, 2024, a 30 percent evaluation was granted.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease as the evidence did not support a finding that it began during active service or within one year from service.

The Board remands the claims for increased initial evaluations of degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, left shoulder strain with degenerative arthritis, and right shoulder degenerative arthritis due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran was granted a 40 percent rating for degenerative arthritis and strain of the thoracolumbar spine, a 20 percent rating for femoral radiculopathy, but denied any higher ratings for sciatic radiculopathy. Special monthly compensation at the statutory housebound rate was also granted.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, anxiety disorder, and unspecified trauma- and stressor-related disorder, but denied service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, cervical strain, left breast cancer, and a left arm condition.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis of the lumbar spine, degenerative disc disease and spinal stenosis of the cervical spine, migraines, and tinnitus secondary to PTSD.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the service connection of degenerative arthritis in the right thumb, long finger, ring finger, and little finger.

The appeal seeking service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, degenerative arthritis, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension was dismissed due to non-compliance with claims processing rules.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS), and foraminal stenosis based on a finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board restored the 60% rating for degenerative arthritis and IVDS of the lumbar spine, status post fusion, with stenosis and spondylolisthesis. The claims for increased ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathies were denied.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to a need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and updated VA treatment records.

The Board remands the claims for further development to ensure that the severity of the Veteran's low back and radiculopathy symptoms is accurately assessed, considering any ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board remands the claims for increased ratings of the Veteran's service-connected right hip conditions to obtain a retrospective opinion that determines the nature and severity of the disabilities while discounting the ameliorative effects of medication.