Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in verifying the Veteran's Reserve service and a need for an addendum opinion regarding his back disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral knee degenerative arthritis and acquired psychiatric disabilities, specifically ADHD and generalized anxiety disorder. The VA must obtain addendum opinions addressing these issues.

The Veteran's lumbar spine osteoarthritis and scoliosis have been granted a rating of 40 percent effective as of June 16, 2010.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left knee condition, finding that there was no evidence of a chronic left knee condition during or within one year after service and that any current left knee conditions are not related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for the Veteran's back disability and Raynaud's phenomena, service connection for anemia, and entitlement to a TDIU due to unresolved issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for lumbar spine degenerative arthritis with intervertebral disc syndrome, bilateral hip disabilities (right and left), limitation of extension, and TDIU. The reasons include the need to consider the ameliorative effects of medications used by the Veteran.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities not meeting the threshold requirement for consideration of schedular TDIU. The Board found that the Veteran is able to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation despite his bilateral knee disabilities.

The Veteran's right knee osteoarthritis, specifically limitation of flexion, is now rated at 20 percent effective from the date of the decision. The rating for right knee instability remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, and various musculoskeletal conditions, have resulted in a combined rating of 100 percent. The Board has granted SMC at the M-rate due to his need for special aid and attendance.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic), right lower extremity radiculopathy (sciatic), and right lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral) disabilities have been granted increased ratings effective February 28, 2024.,The Veteran's service connection for the left lower extremity radiculopathy (femoral) disability has also been granted effective February 28, 2024. However, an earlier effective date is denied as there was no evidence of entitlement prior to this date.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted an initial rating of 70 percent, but no greater. The left foot plantar fasciitis remains at a 10 percent disability rating. Service connection for hypertension and degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine are granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and adjudication of his claims regarding the rating for his back disability, including issues related to an initial rating prior to March 14, 2024, and a higher rating from that date.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a cervical spine disability, including degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine. The VA will obtain a new medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's current condition had its onset during or is at least as likely as not related to an in-service fall causing symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her bilateral foot condition, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5269.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip disabilities (right and left) with effective dates of July 25, 2005, but no earlier. The Veteran's claim was initially denied in February 2003 due to lack of medical evidence linking the disabilities to service. He later submitted a new application to reopen his claim on July 25, 2005, which was ultimately granted by the Board in December 2020 based on new and relevant evidence including a VA examination report from January 2025 indicating that the hip disabilities are aggravated by his service-connected back disability. The effective dates were established due to continuous pursuit of the claim following the final denial.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) for aid and attendance from May 14, 2025 due to service-connected disabilities that rendered him in regular need of aid and assistance.

The Board has granted the severance of service connection for a right knee disability, effective January 29, 2020. The appeal is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his back disability, and his SSA records need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased ratings for left and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing impairment is not considered a disability for VA purposes due to the invalidity of audiometric test results in his left ear. Service connection for diabetes mellitus, type 2 (diabetes) and other conditions are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depression and right knee osteoarthritis, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted his claim for TDIU.