Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine arthritis, bilateral knee degenerative arthritis, and lumbar degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's conditions are deemed to have been incurred during his active military service.

The Veteran's right knee and right hip disabilities have been restored with specific ratings effective November 19, 2024.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left knee disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to his current condition.

The Board has granted service connection for back pain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, cervical spine disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's conditions are found to be aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's back disability and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings, with the effective date set at February 19, 2021.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The claims for service connection on all listed conditions are not before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right knee posttraumatic osteoarthritis and right knee ACL reconstruction are remanded due to a duty-to-assist error in the July 2020 VA examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right knee meniscal tear and degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a disease or injury incurred during active duty or ADT in the line of duty. The current diagnoses are not related to any such events.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for left elbow osteoarthritis was denied in January 2012. The Board granted a 20 percent rating effective December 28, 2010, in July 2020. Eligibility to direct payment of attorney fees based on past-due benefits awarded in the July 2020 Rating Decision is dismissed.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for higher ratings for lumbar degenerative arthritis status post spinal fusion and unspecified ADHD.

The Veteran's left elbow lateral epicondylitis with osteoarthritis and supination are both rated at the minimum compensable level (10%) due to functional loss caused by pain, but not reaching higher rating criteria.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right hip femoral acetabular impingement with osteoarthritis as secondary to his service-connected lumbar strain.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to address specific circumstances.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of his low back disability and cervical spine disability to his military service. The Veteran is asked to provide additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee osteoarthritis on a secondary basis, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected left knee disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for increased disability ratings and service connection was denied due to the untimely filing of a Board Appeal request.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee disability, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and chronic migraine headaches on a direct basis. The effective date is May 18, 2019.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error that occurred prior to the rating decision on appeal. The VA examinations and opinions obtained were inadequate as they did not address whether the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service, including exposure to burn pits or other toxins.

The Veteran's right and left hip osteoarthritis, as well as his right and left foot arthritis, are not service-connected because they are not related to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral foot plantar fasciitis and degenerative arthritis have been granted an initial 30 percent rating, effective October 15, 2010.