Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's PTSD rating was reduced from 70 percent to 50 percent, effective February 20, 2025. The Board finds the reduction improper and restores the 70 percent disability rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability is denied prior to March 31, 2025 and from that date onwards. Ratings for his right knee strain with osteoarthritis, left knee strain with osteoarthritis, right knee instability, and left knee instability are also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, including associated bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy.,Service connection is also granted for left and right upper extremity radiculopathy secondary to the service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.,Service connection is denied for tinnitus.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee disability, left knee arthritis, and bilateral knee instability. The decision is based on the Veteran's competent and credible lay evidence regarding the onset of symptoms in service.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back condition and right knee condition, finding no current disability or causal relationship to service. The left ankle disability was remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for the right knee osteoarthritis was granted based on a current diagnosis, but not established by in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's low back disability, including degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, is considered to have originated during his active service and continues today. The Board has therefore granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has restored the Veteran's rating for his right elbow condition from 10 percent to 20 percent effective May 5, 2025, finding that the evidence was in equipoise regarding whether there had been improvement in the Veteran's ability to function under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease are not secondary to his service-connected tinnitus.,The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence addressing continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of January 13, 2020 for the service connection of low back disability and related radiculopathy issues. The Veteran's claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted in January 2020.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis is dismissed. The claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, bilateral hearing loss, and other conditions are granted.

The Board has found duty to assist errors and remanded the claims for further development, including obtaining service treatment records and any outstanding relevant records. The Veteran is also seeking service connection for HIV-related illnesses with depression.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with hammer toes, hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, sleep apnea, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral kidney cysts, rendered him unable to secure or follow gainful employment. The Board granted the TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine degenerative arthritis. The claims for back pain and right upper extremity radiculopathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis and shin splints due to insufficient rationale in the previous VA examination. The case is now pending with a request for a new opinion.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip degenerative arthritis is secondary to his service-connected right total hip replacement and grants this claim.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for his lumbar spine disability has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as there was no unfavorable ankylosis or incapacitating episodes of IVDS.

The Board has found the eligibility determination for PCAFC enrollment to be legally inadequate and remanded for a new medical opinion that adequately addresses the criteria for eligibility as set forth in VA regulations.