Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for left knee degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, right shoulder bicipital tendonitis, and left shoulder bicipital tendonitis with an effective date of September 1, 2017.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, right and left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. The Board found that the Veteran's current disabilities are due to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's PTSD due to MST and low back pain are granted. The case is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's TDIU for accrued benefits purposes is granted, and the initial compensable rating for his service-connected back scar is denied. The claims of higher ratings for lumbar spine disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, hemorrhoids, and bilateral knee arthritis have been granted service connection. The back pain and PFB claims are denied.

The Veteran's right knee strain with osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence.

The appeal for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee meniscal tear with osteoarthritis is dismissed.,The appeal for an effective date prior to July 19, 2024, for service connection for tinnitus is denied.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death while the appeal was pending.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to SMC based on the need for aid and attendance for the Veteran's spouse due to conflicting information in the June 2025 examination. A VA examination is needed to determine if the spouse requires regular aid and attendance.

The Board has granted service connection for a back disability with bilateral lower extremity sciatica, as well as service connection for osteoarthritis of the left and right hips.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on their onset during service and persistence since then.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, lumbar disc disease with herniation, right knee osteoarthritis, and a left knee condition (manifested by pain with functional loss that can affect earning capacity), all of which are found to be at least as likely as not caused by the Veteran's in-service exposure to hazardous noise and service duties.

The Veteran's right knee disabilities were granted effective April 4, 2023.

The Veteran's TDIU and earlier effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance are granted, with the TDIU effective from February 26, 2014. The Housebound rate special monthly compensation is also granted as of November 9, 2021.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates prior to specific rating decisions were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left knee and right knee disabilities have been granted. The remaining issues, including those related to the shoulders, back, and erectile dysfunction, are being remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as untimely.,Service connection for PTSD has not been established.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being remanded due to procedural errors in the development process. The VA is required to provide an examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disorders, including any meniscal disability or patellar instability.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination and a need for additional evidence. The Veteran's left foot disability, excluding plantar fasciitis, is being evaluated further.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis in the right elbow, right knee joint osteoarthritis, and residuals of a ventral hernia. The Veteran's preexisting conditions worsened during his active duty service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an opinion addressing whether the Veteran's left shoulder disability is related to his active military service and if it is aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability.