Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's left knee total replacement is rated at 60 percent, reflecting chronic residuals consisting of severe painful motion or weakness.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left hip disability are remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors and regulatory duties not being satisfied.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis, thoracolumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome is granted a 40% rating effective June 29, 2017. The Board finds that the medical evidence shows that the Veteran's low back disability warrants a 40 percent rating from this date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to pes planus and lower back conditions are being remanded due to the submission of new medical evidence. The left ankle and knee disabilities have been rated appropriately.

The Board has remanded the claim due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's lumbar spine conditions, which may be related to service. The case is returned for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for right ankle disability, right knee disability, and back disability due to new evidence received after a September 2024 rating decision. Service connection is now granted for right ankle arthritis and total ankle joint replacement, right knee strain, meniscal tear, anterior cruciate ligament tear, osteoarthritis, and total knee arthroplasty, as well as degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome of the thoracolumbar spine secondary to these conditions. The Board also granted service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy secondary to the back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's left hip disability is aggravated by his service-connected right hip postoperative residuals. The examiner must consider if there is any additional functional impairment associated with the left hip.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee osteoarthritis and lupus tumidus have been granted. The Board found that the conditions are related to his active service.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine is granted as it manifested within one year of separation from service and is not attributable to intercurrent causes.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) at the O and r-1 rates due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, bilateral knee conditions, and lumbar spine degenerative arthritis. The need for aid and attendance is based on these service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examination opinions and failure to obtain private treatment records. The Veteran's right hip, knee, shoulder disabilities are being reviewed again with new medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the spine is at least as likely as not related to active-duty service, and therefore grants the claim for service connection.

The Board dismissed all appeals as the Veteran's claims for service connection were already granted in a previous decision.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including his total knee arthroplasty and scars, is rated at 60 percent for the period starting July 1, 2025. He also receives a separate 20 percent rating for right knee instability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition is being readjudicated due to new and relevant evidence submitted after the April 2018 rating decision. The issue of entitlement to service connection for his claimed back condition remains on appeal.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety and depression, erectile dysfunction, bilateral ankle disability, left knee osteoarthritis, hypertension, and gastritis are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder to include anxiety and depression, erectile dysfunction, bilateral ankle disability, left knee osteoarthritis, hypertension, and gastritis.

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, along with various radiculopathy conditions and neuritis, is rated at a maximum of 40 percent.

The Board denied service connection for right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities as well as bilateral pes planus (flat foot) and foot pain. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injuries.,The Veteran's Service Treatment Records showed no complaints or treatment for the claimed conditions prior to his discharge from active duty.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical strain, rotator cuff tendinitis of the left and right shoulders, left hip condition (including a total hip replacement), right hip condition, patellofemoral pain syndrome with osteoarthritis of the left knee, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, left ankle condition, and right ankle condition. The Board found that these conditions are not related to service.,The Veteran's assertions regarding the onset of his disabilities were not supported by medical evidence or continuity of symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.