Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, right knee disorders, left knee disorders, a back disorder, and a heart disorder. The claims are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted service connection for various hip, ankle, and knee conditions. However, the Veteran did not appeal these decisions to the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC), so the claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's ratings for right and left knee flexion were restored to 10 percent effective October 23, 2024. The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for his right and left knee extension disabilities as of the same date. However, an increased rating beyond 20 percent for right knee extension prior to October 23, 2024 is denied.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, and service connection for his low back disability is granted. The TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and right shoulder disability due to inadequate medical opinions regarding their etiology and functional impairment.

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

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is rated at 40 percent as of April 21, 2023. The Board has remanded the case for a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tinnitus, an increased rating for right hand disability prior to June 3, 2024 and thereafter, and TDIU has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The appeals are not considered on the merits as they were not filed within one year of the relevant rating decisions.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for his service-connected back disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and addendum medical opinion addressing the severity of his condition throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU and DEA eligibility on and after February 7, 2022.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left knee disabilities had their onset during active service, granting her claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to correct a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error and obtain an appropriate VA examination for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hip disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee condition, finding that his current condition is related to an in-service injury and continues since.

The Veteran's service-connected musculoskeletal disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, leading to the grant of SMC at the intermediate rate. The rating for left knee flexion limitation is granted, as well as instability ratings for the left knee. Tinnitus remains rated at 10 percent. Service connection claims related to a left ear condition, depressive disorder with anxiety, left shoulder impingement syndrome, and migraine headaches are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain and right shoulder degenerative arthritis (s/p arthroscopic clean out).,Special monthly compensation (SMC) for loss of use of a creative organ is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right knee osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities had their onset in and have continued since service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for sleep disturbances is denied as any reported sleep disturbance is part of his major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's left knee strain is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating authorized under Diagnostic Code 5260.,The Veteran's right knee degenerative arthritis is not entitled to a higher rating as there is no evidence of limitation of extension or flexion beyond what is already accounted for in the current 20 percent rating.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial rating for migraine remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder degenerative arthritis and strain began during his active duty service, resolving all doubts in favor of the Veteran. Service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder and bilateral knee disabilities, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his active duty service. Service connection was denied for right knee disability due to lack of evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left shoulder degenerative arthritis due to a deficiency in the record, specifically the lack of an adequate VA examination prior to the rating decision.