Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to service-connected hypertension, allergic rhinitis, major depressive disorder, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, and bilateral sciatic nerve radiculopathy. The earlier effective dates and increased ratings for service-connected hypertension and major depressive disorder have been dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and potential errors in the decision-making process. The Veteran is requested to provide all relevant service documentation related to his Naval Air Force Reserve duty.

The Veteran's claims for lung cancer, depression, and right shoulder condition were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for any of these conditions.,No VA examination was conducted in this case.

The Veteran's back disability worsened on March 18, 2024, resulting in a 20 percent disability rating effective that date.

The Board denied requests for earlier effective dates for service connection awards of lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis, intervertebral disc syndrome, muscle spasm, and atrophy; right lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve; and left lower extremity radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for service-connected degenerative arthritis of spine with intervertebral disc syndrome status post right L5-S1 microdiscectomy associated with left knee chronic strain and post operative anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and medial meniscus repair was denied as his symptoms are not severe enough to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's initial rating for cervical spine degenerative arthritis was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings and effective dates have been dismissed due to his death.

The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome and radiculopathy of the lower extremities have been granted increased disability ratings, effective January 20, 2025.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for osteoarthritis of the right hip and left hip dislocation have been denied. The current disability ratings are deemed appropriate.,There is no legal basis to assign a higher rating for any of the service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot disabilities, including hallux valgus and degenerative arthritis, are related to his service-connected residuals of right Achilles tendon rupture. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee arthritis and bilateral hip arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship to service or service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and a need for an adequate VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused significant occupational impairment, rendering him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since December 5, 2011. The Board grants a TDIU from that date onward.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), anemia, and a left shoulder condition. The conditions are presumed to be related to toxic exposures during service in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine has been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and earlier effective dates due to inadequate VA examinations. The issues of entitlement to an earlier effective date for TDIU, DEA, and service connection are also inextricably intertwined.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and earlier effective dates were denied.,The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date before March 14, 2022, for service connection of IVDS, MDD, left knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia, patellar maltracking, and calf strain, or right knee osteoarthritis with chondromalacia, patellar maltracking, and calf strain.

The Veteran's increased evaluations for right shoulder osteoarthritis and PTSD were granted effective April 27, 2018. The Board denied earlier effective dates as the earliest date of increase in disability was not ascertainable prior to this date.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine with degenerative L5-S1 disease is denied as his symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.