Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating and TDIU related to lumbar spine degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a thorough VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The assigned evaluations for cervical spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral knee meniscal tears with degenerative arthritis (limitation of flexion), right knee meniscal tear with degenerative arthritis, bilateral knee meniscal tears with degenerative arthritis (limitation of extension), residuals of cold injury of the bilateral hands with multi-joint disease and paresthesias, and posttraumatic stress disorder were all denied.,For PTSD, the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date was granted but his evaluation remained at 50 percent disabling prior to March 14, 2025, and increased to 70 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's bilateral eye disability is not service-connected as it was not shown to have begun during his period of active duty or be related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities are not service-connected as they were not shown to have begun during his period of active duty or be related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities due to conflicting opinions regarding whether these conditions are aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected spine condition or hip replacement.

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

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist degenerative arthritis is causally related to his active military service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar degenerative arthritis with stenosis and spondylosis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy due to duty-to-assist errors. The Veteran is required to be provided VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the hands and knees, carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, heart disability, and erectile dysfunction. The appeals are denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and mood is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's left knee sprain, lateral meniscus tear, and patellofemoral syndrome are granted as secondary to his service-connected foot and right knee disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to duty-to-assist errors and insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right shoulder acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis with rotator cuff tear.

The Veteran's left ankle disability has been rated at 10 percent based on limitation of motion, with dorsiflexion limited to 5 degrees and plantar flexion within normal limits.,The Veteran's right ankle disability has also been rated at 10 percent based on limitation of motion, with dorsiflexion within normal limits and plantar flexion within normal limits.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals as untimely, and denied any extension of time to file an appeal.

The Board has identified errors in the VA examination opinions and requires a new opinion to determine if the Veteran's right knee disorder is related to his military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral elbow degenerative arthritis and an increased rating for migraine headaches as untimely filed, with no extension granted.

The appeal for service connection of left knee osteoarthritis is dismissed due to the death of the appellant during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his left knee conditions has been dismissed due to the Appellant withdrawing both issues before a hearing could be scheduled.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis with intervertebral disc syndrome and degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent prior to February 14, 2025 and in excess of 30 percent thereafter. The Board has decided to remand the case for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted in part, with the Board finding new and relevant evidence sufficient to readjudicate the issues of left knee osteoarthritis, right knee osteoarthritis, right hip degenerative joint disease (DJD), arthritis of the right thumb, arthritis of the left thumb, arthritis of the right ring and little fingers, and arthritis of the left ring and little fingers. The remaining claims for service connection are remanded.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to support the Veteran's claims for service connection, but the claims are being remanded due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for TDIU.