Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Board found that the Veteran's request for higher-level review was timely filed, despite being received more than one year after the notification of the September 2023 rating decision. This was due to good cause shown by the change in representation and the extension requested by the attorney.

The Veteran's current jaw disability, diagnosed as bilateral temporomandibular joint disorders and degenerative arthritis, mild sclerosis of right mandibular condyle, is related to an in-service event (wisdom teeth extraction). Service connection for this condition has been granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for his right and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence supports a link between these conditions and his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the reduction of his hepatitis B rating from 20% to 0% was upheld. Service connection was not established for diabetes, left knee arthritis, hypertension, or obstructive sleep apnea. Bilateral hearing loss was granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right lower extremity femoral nerve radiculopathy are granted as service-connected, with the effective date being January 24, 2023.

The Veteran's initial rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis is being remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports that did not address the severity of his condition during flareups and the effects of over-the-counter medications.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical neck degenerative arthritis, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy have been dismissed due to a prior pending Supplemental Claim. The claim for hypertension is remanded.

The Veteran's back disability is now rated at 20 percent effective October 28, 2019. The right ankle disability appeal was withdrawn prior to the decision.

The Board has granted readjudication of the claims for neck condition, bilateral upper extremity nerve conditions, and right wrist degenerative arthritis due to new and relevant evidence. The claims are remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded three issues: service connection for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine, service connection for a hip disability other than service-connected fracture of the left iliac crest (to include as secondary to service-connected degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine), and a rating higher than 20 percent for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine.

Effective dates of June 4, 2022 are granted for service connection for unspecified anxiety disorder, lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis and disc disease, IVDS, spondylosis, scoliosis and healed compression fracture of T7, right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy, and right lower extremity femoral radiculopathy.,Effective date of October 5, 2023 is granted for service connection for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the VA's failure to schedule appropriate examinations.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus, a neurobehavioral disorder, bilateral pes planus, bilateral hallux rigidus, and the right and left knee disabilities. The evidence does not show any in-service injuries or diseases related to these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's right leg neuropathy is granted as service connected due to his now service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine and IVDS.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 50 percent rating for migraines is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 30 percent rating for IBS w/non-specific colitis is granted and effective July 20, 2023.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the 20 percent ratings for right hip osteoarthritis, limitation of abduction, adduction, or rotation, and for right hip osteoarthritis, limitation of flexion are both granted and effective April 26, 2023.,No effective date is assigned for the Veteran's claim for an earlier rating for her IBS condition as it was already in effect prior to July 20, 2023.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for left ankle degenerative arthritis, left foot degenerative arthritis, and left foot post-surgical scar due to an error in failing to provide notice of the right to a hearing on a supplemental claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability is related to his active service, and a VA examination is needed to provide an opinion on this issue.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for osteoarthritis, left hip as secondary to his service-connected lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease and arthritis is being remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and a headache condition, finding that her symptoms began during and have continued since service.