Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right knee osteoarthritis status post meniscectomy for meniscus tear prior to June 20, 2024 is remanded. The appeal for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD is also remanded.

The Veteran's left knee disability has not been shown to meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code. The current 10% rating is maintained as there is no evidence of limitation of flexion or extension, instability, dislocation, ankylosis, or other conditions that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral ankle and knee strains, as well as left and right wrist and elbow strains, all secondary to the appellant's service-connected lumbar spine disability. Service connection was also granted for a cervical spine disability (with degenerative arthritis and spinal stenosis).

The Board denied service connection for right hip osteoarthritis as there was no evidence that the condition began during service or was related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of service treatment records and an error in not attempting to obtain Army hospital records from Fort Jackson. The Veteran's lower back condition, including degenerative arthritis of the spine and intervertebral disc syndrome, is being reviewed for possible service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active service, including exposure to contaminants at Camp Lejeune or diabetes mellitus.

The Board has granted service connection for left ankle osteoarthritis and right ankle osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's statements of continuing symptoms are sufficient to establish a link to her military service.

The Board has remanded several claims due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for additional medical opinions regarding the severity of the Veteran's disabilities, including their relationship to service.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and osteoarthritis, finding that his flexion is limited to 30 degrees during flare-ups due to pain.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, IVDS, and degenerative disc disease other than IVDS were denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted initial ratings of 20 percent for the Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis and 40 percent for his left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with degenerative arthritis, both based on limitation of extension.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability ratings for his service-connected left knee and low back disabilities was denied. The Board found that the current 10 percent rating assigned for each condition is appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports that did not account for the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a rating in excess of 20 percent for his degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and disc with lumbar stenosis, or an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his radiculopathy, left lower extremity or right lower extremity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) in his right hand or fingers is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination provided.

The Board has granted service connection for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) with degenerative arthritis in both the cervical and lumbar spine, finding that these conditions were incurred during or caused by the Veteran's period of active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities from July 19, 2013 through January 20, 2014 rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that remand is needed for new medical opinions to address the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, specifically osteoarthritis and kidney disability, due to ionizing radiation exposure. The claims are being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) was denied, and his request for an earlier effective date for SMC based on housebound status was also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand disability, right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis, scoliosis, lumbosacral strain, COPD, and asthma. The appeals are dismissed due to lack of a current disability for right hand disability.