Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is rated at 40 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder remains at the current 50 percent rating.

The Board has denied service connection for various disabilities, including left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, osteoarthritis (claimed as a chronic pain disability), back disability, fibromyalgia, and migraine headaches. The evidence does not support a causal relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's in-service herbicide agent exposure or any other in-service disease or injury.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates of increased ratings for his right hip conditions due to insufficient evidence considering the impact of medication.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back condition, but remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral eye condition, hypertension, DVT, and prostate cancer.

The Veteran's service-connected right knee disability alone does not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the Veteran is capable of performing a variety of jobs consistent with his education, skills, training, and work history.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of February 28, 2020 for the grant of service connection for left knee strain and related hip osteoarthritis disabilities. The Veteran's claims were continuously pursued until this final decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left hip disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the effects of medication on his disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from September 1, 2018. The Board granted an effective date of September 1, 2018 for the award of TDIU.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not productive of limitation of motion to a degree that warrants an evaluation in excess of 10 percent. Service connection for left hip and right hip disabilities, depression, and anxiety are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions necessitate the need for regular aid and assistance of another individual to perform his activities of daily living, including toileting, bathing, showering, dressing, ambulating within the home or living area, transferring, medication management, cleaning, and feeding himself. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in effective dates of March 18, 2020 for various disability ratings and benefits. The earlier effective date claims are granted, while the service connection claim for erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including peritoneal adhesions and small bowel obstructions, rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment as of March 5, 2018.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the appeal, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction, finding that it is not a but-for cause of his claimed current condition and there is insufficient evidence to establish a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for initial disability ratings for his lumbar spine and right lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection and a rating of 20% for his left shoulder disability, which is denied as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the appeal for a higher rating for right knee joint osteoarthritis based on limitation of extension since March 27, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral foot pain, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service-connected arthritis of the toes. The decision also grants secondary service connection for any other diagnosed foot conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and missing development. The Veteran's right hand disability, including osteoarthritis and tenosynovitis, is related to in-service injuries and repetitive trauma.

The Board granted an initial 30 percent rating for the Veteran's left knee condition, effective from June 28, 2018. The decision is based on limitation of extension of the left knee.