Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's appeal concerning the claims of service connection for various knee and hand conditions has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left foot eyelet syndrome. Service connection for a right hip disability is denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted service connection, but his diabetes mellitus is denied as there is no evidence of herbicide agent exposure during service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for a rating in excess of 10 percent for lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis and for a separate rating for right trapezius muscle strain before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's employment during the appeal period was full-time and his income exceeded the poverty threshold, making him unable to establish marginal employment. Therefore, he is not entitled to a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left inguinal hernia, and cervical strain with degenerative arthritis and upper radiculopathy have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's increased rating claims for low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, and hypertension have been remanded due to inadequate examinations and the need to obtain private treatment records.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis and degenerative disc disease, right hip degenerative arthritis, and right knee condition as secondary to his service-connected depression.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, but dismissed the claim for left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability, finding that the Veteran's current degenerative disc disease and arthritis are related to his active duty service.,Service connection was also granted for right foot pain, left foot hammer toes, and right foot hammer toes. The Board found these conditions were related to service.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine and upper extremity disabilities, including arthritis of the arms and neck. The issues of TDIU have been dismissed as moot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical myofascial syndrome, left shoulder myofascial pain with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, and right shoulder myofascial pain with acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's initial ratings for diabetes mellitus, bilateral knee surgical scars, and left hip osteoarthritis have been denied. The effective date for the grant of service connection for left hip osteoarthritis has also been denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for right knee osteoarthritis and instability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as there was no limitation of motion or other functional impairment warranting a higher rating under the applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disability was denied in previous decisions, but the effective date of this award is being considered. The Board has determined that the earliest valid claim submitted by the Veteran is dated August 18, 2022, and thus an earlier effective date prior to August 18, 2022, cannot be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right hip condition, finding that his service-connected right ankle disability caused or aggravated his current hip condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment prior to May 23, 2024.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection and increased ratings are denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is granted with an effective date of February 2, 2015.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's low back disability is related to his service in Afghanistan.